Elizabeth Bathory

Some time ago ~MayaMayfair became my 400th watcher, and I did a kiriban for my 200th watcher so I figured I would keep it up. I was having a massive art block at the time, but when she suggested a picture of Elizabeth Bathory I started sketching almost straight away. Fastforward lots of busy real life stuff and I have finally finished this!

For anyone who doesn't know, Elizabeth Báthory was a Hungarian (I think) Countess who is alleged to have tortured and murdered hundreds of young girls as well as bathing in their blood to keep her youth and beauty. I don't think we will ever know if she really did any of these things, but she is certainly interesting to draw! I tried to combine Elizabethan/early Jacobean styles with some elements of traditional Hungarian and Slovenian costume.

The embroidery on the smock sleeves is one of ~pinkcamellia's lovely Hungarian pattern brushes!

Thanks so much Maya, especially for being so patient! I hope you like it!