Tar-Vanimelde as Erendis

Tar-Vanimeldë as Erendis, for @legendariumladiesapril‘s “Metaception” prompt. The idea was to depict a woman from the Legendarium creating something about another woman from the Legendarium. I like to think that the Númenóreans enjoyed historical plays as much as we do, and I also like to think that Tar-Vanimeldë - the queen who loved the performing arts more than governing - loved to act in such plays. With that in mind, here’s a poster for a melodramatic play (or maybe opera) about Aldarion and Erendis, starring (hah) none less than Tar-Vanimeldë in the leading role.

Totally shamelessly copied from Alphonse Mucha’s poster for Gismonda featuring la grande Sarah Bernhardt, of course. Considering Gismonda’s attitude towards her suitors, it would perhaps have been more fitting for Tar-Ancalimë rather than Erendis; but the palm made me think of the bough of returning that Erendis brought to Aldarion, so Erendis it was. Come to think of it, this also covers the "Symbolism and Iconography" prompt.

That effing gown took FOREVER. Why did it have to be brocade? *shakes fist at Mucha* Also, the weird fading effect at the bottom of the painting is in the original. I just copied it. I suspect Mucha got sick of that gown, too.