The Bad Girls is a series of paintings and prints created by Paula Rego in the mid-1990s, exploring themes of female rebellion, power, and societal critique. This series is a bold and provocative collection that challenges traditional gender roles and exposes the complexities of female identity through Rego’s signature narrative style and symbolic imagery. The works in *The Bad Girls* often depict young girls in defiant or subversive poses, using dark humor, surrealism, and raw emotion to critique patriarchal structures, social norms, and the constraints placed on women.

Artistic Context and Themes

*The Bad Girls* series was created during a pivotal period in Paula Rego’s career, as she deepened her exploration of feminist themes and challenged societal expectations of women. The series reflects her personal experiences, political views, and engagement with feminist discourse in the 1990s, a decade marked by global conversations about gender, power, and identity.

Key Themes

• Female Rebellion – The series depicts young girls in acts of defiance, such as smoking, swearing, or adopting aggressive postures. These images subvert traditional notions of femininity and celebrate female agency and resistance.
• Power Dynamics – Rego explores power struggles between genders, generations, and social classes. The girls in *The Bad Girls* often dominate the composition, asserting their presence and authority in ways that challenge male-dominated spaces.
• Societal Critique – The series critiques patriarchal norms, religious hypocrisy, and social oppression. Rego uses satire and irony to expose the absurdity and injustice of societal expectations placed on women and girls.
• Sexuality and Innocence – *The Bad Girls* blurs the line between innocence and sexuality, depicting young girls in suggestive or provocative poses that question societal taboos around female sexuality and agency.
• Surrealism and Symbolism – The series employs surreal and symbolic elements, such as distorted proportions, exaggerated features, and dreamlike settings, to amplify the emotional and psychological depth of the works.
• Group Dynamics – Many works in the series feature groups of girls, exploring collective identity, solidarity, and the power of female communities. These compositions often highlight the tension between individuality and conformity.

The Witches of Pendle is a series of sketches and drawings created by Paula Rego in the late 1990s, inspired by the true story of the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612 in England. This series is a powerful and haunting exploration of persecution, power, and the supernatural, blending historical narrative with Rego’s signature surreal and expressive style. The sketches depict the accused witches of Pendle, a group of marginalized women who were tried and executed for witchcraft, and use dark, emotive imagery to critique social injustice, gender oppression, and the abuse of power.

*The Witches of Pendle* sketches were inspired by the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, one of the most infamous witch trials in English history. The trials took place in Lancashire, England, where twelve women (and one man) were accused of witchcraft and executed. The trials were marked by hysteria, superstition, and the abuse of power, as the accused were marginalized, poor, and often elderly women who were scapegoated for societal ills.
Paula Rego, who spent much of her life in England, was deeply affected by the story of the Pendle witches. She saw parallels between their persecution and the broader struggles of women throughout history, particularly the ways in which women have been silenced, oppressed, and scapegoated by patriarchal societies. The sketches in *The Witches of Pendle* series are her artistic response to this historical injustice, using visual storytelling to reclaim the voices and dignity of the accused women.

Key Themes

• Persecution and Injustice – The sketches explore the persecution of the Pendle witches as a metaphor for the broader oppression of women. Rego’s works highlight the injustice of the trials and the ways in which women have been targeted by societal and religious institutions.
• Power and Marginalization – The series examines the power dynamics that led to the marginalization and execution of the Pendle witches. Rego’s sketches often depict the accused women as both victims and defiant figures, challenging the narratives of power and control that led to their persecution.
• The Supernatural and the Real – The sketches blend supernatural elements (such as flying figures, animals, and eerie landscapes) with realistic depictions of the accused witches. This fusion creates a sense of unease and mystery, reflecting the blurred lines between reality and superstition in the witch trials.
• Feminine Solidarity – Rego’s sketches often depict the Pendle witches as a collective, emphasizing their solidarity and shared experience. This theme celebrates the strength and resilience of women in the face of persecution and adversity.
• Gender and Oppression – The series critiques the gendered nature of the witch trials, where women were disproportionately targeted due to misogyny, superstition, and societal fears. Rego’s works expose the ways in which women’s bodies and voices have been controlled and suppressed throughout history.

Symbolism

• Animals – Rego often includes animals in her sketches, such as dogs, cats, and birds, which symbolize companionship, protection, or the supernatural. In the context of *The Witches of Pendle*, animals may also represent the accused witches’ connection to nature and their perceived "otherness" in society.
• Flying Figures – Some sketches depict the Pendle witches as flying figures, a symbol of freedom and transcendence. This imagery challenges the earthly constraints placed on women and reclaims their agency in a supernatural realm.
• Dark Landscapes – The sketches often feature dark, moody landscapes, such as forests, cliffs, and stormy skies, which reflect the emotional and psychological turmoil of the witch trials. These landscapes also evoke a sense of isolation and danger, mirroring the experiences of the accused women.
• Distorted Figures – Rego’s distorted and exaggerated figures in the sketches amplify the emotional intensity of the scenes. The distortions convey the psychological and physical toll of persecution, as well as the supernatural and otherworldly aspects of the witch trials.

The Jane Eyre Series is a collection of paintings, prints, and drawings created by Paula Rego in the early 2000s, inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel *Jane Eyre*. This series is a deeply personal and feminist reinterpretation of the classic story, focusing on themes of identity, oppression, resilience, and the female experience. Rego’s works in this series reimagine key moments and characters from the novel, using her signature expressive style, bold compositions, and symbolic imagery to explore Jane Eyre’s emotional and psychological journey as a woman navigating a patriarchal society.

Paula Rego’s *Jane Eyre* series was inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s *Jane Eyre*, a classic novel that explores themes of love, independence, morality, and the struggle for self-respect in a patriarchal society. The novel follows the life of Jane Eyre, an orphaned governess who faces hardship, oppression, and societal constraints but ultimately asserts her independence and dignity.
Rego, who had a deep connection to literature and storytelling, was drawn to Jane Eyre’s character as a symbol of female resilience and defiance. She saw parallels between Jane’s struggles and her own experiences as a woman and an artist navigating a male-dominated world. The *Jane Eyre* series is Rego’s visual reinterpretation of the novel, using her expressive and narrative-driven style to explore Jane’s emotional and psychological journey.

Themes and Symbolism

Key Themes

• Identity and Self-Discovery – The series explores Jane Eyre’s journey of self-discovery, as she navigates the constraints of society and asserts her independence. Rego’s works capture Jane’s emotional and psychological growth, from her early struggles as an orphan to her ultimate assertion of self-worth.
• Oppression and Resilience – The series examines the oppression Jane faces as a woman in a patriarchal society, including her experiences at Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, and her relationship with Mr. Rochester. Rego’s works highlight Jane’s resilience in the face of adversity and societal expectations.
• Love and Morality – The series delves into Jane’s complex relationship with Mr. Rochester, exploring themes of love, morality, and the struggle for equality in their relationship. Rego’s works capture the emotional intensity of Jane’s internal conflict between her love for Rochester and her moral principles.
• Female Agency and Independence – The series celebrates Jane’s assertion of her independence and agency, as she refuses to be defined by the expectations of others. Rego’s works emphasize Jane’s strength and determination to live life on her own terms.
• The Supernatural and the Psychological – The series blends supernatural and psychological elements, such as Jane’s encounters with Bertha Mason (the "madwoman in the attic") and her dreamlike visions. Rego’s works explore the blurred lines between reality and the subconscious, reflecting Jane’s emotional and psychological state.

Symbolism

• Jane Eyre as a Symbol of Female Resilience – In Rego’s series, Jane Eyre is often depicted as a strong, determined figure, symbolizing female resilience and defiance in the face of oppression and adversity.
• Mr. Rochester and Power Dynamics – Mr. Rochester is often depicted in dark, imposing forms, representing the power dynamics in his relationship with Jane. Rego’s works explore the tension between Jane’s desire for love and her need for independence.
• Bertha Mason and the "Madwoman in the Attic" – Bertha Mason, the mysterious and tragic figure hidden in Thornfield Hall’s attic, is a key symbol in the series. Rego’s depictions of Bertha explore themes of madness, repression, and the consequences of patriarchal control.
• Lowood School and Institutional Oppression – Scenes from Jane’s time at Lowood School often symbolize institutional oppression and the struggle for education and independence. Rego’s works capture the harshness and isolation of Jane’s early life.
• Thornfield Hall and the Gothic – Thornfield Hall, with its dark, gothic atmosphere, is a recurring symbol in the series. Rego’s depictions of the hall explore themes of mystery, secrecy, and the supernatural.