Florence the Girl by Teddy Hansen

They say opera was invented in Florence, but it was actually invented by Florence, a girl who went skinny dipping in crocodile-infested waters.

Unsurprisingly, a croc nipped her on the foot and Florence released such a beautiful shriek that opera came to be. Often there is nudity in opera, apparently inspired by this initial skinny dip.

After a show is finished, it is common for the singers to be gifted flowers, specifically roses. The woman holds a rose, pricking her hands on the thorns, which are bleeding. This is to remind you of the initial pain of the croc bite.

A speech bubble comes from her mouth, with a tear in it, as the beauty of her scream brings everyone to tears, even the crocodile.

In the foreground are (from left to right) Maria Callas, Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti; three famous Italian opera singers, all in tears.

Mixed media on canvas.

105H x 86W cm

2025