The Persistence of the Image of Eros as Threshold in Sappho, Madonna, and Hilda Hilst

Abstract

This article examines the interplay between text and image, their historical intersections, and the influence of this relationship on literary production. Grounded in theoretical frameworks from image studies (Arbex, 2006; Louvel, 2006), photography (Brizuela, 2014), and eroticism (Bataille, 2023), it investigates how these modes of expression generate new interpretations and meanings. The analysis focuses on three selected materials: fragment 31 by Sappho, a photograph from Madonna’s Sex (1992), and a poem by Hilda Hilst. The unifying element among these artistic expressions is the representation of Eros as a liminal figure, situated within a zone of tension and impossibility. Furthermore, Didi-Huberman’s (2015) interpretation of Warburg provides the theoretical foundation for discussing the concept of Pathosformeln and the persistence of images through time, illustrating how visual forms endure and are re-signified in new contexts. By foregrounding the relationship between text and image, this article underscores desire as a generative force that transcends temporal and cultural boundaries, reaffirming the critical role of this dialogue in shaping contemporary meaning and interpretation.