Artwork — Janus Contents by Paula Meadows 1
For most of its modern incarnation Janus magazine featured a one-off drawing by one of its resident artists on the Contents page. These warrant more attention than a glance in passing as one avidly checks the line up of delights in a newly acquired mag.
Paula Meadows provided the illustrations from issue 16 to 43
and then returned to do a few more from issue 152 onwards. Here is a first
batch of five.
From Janus 16. A smashed vase while dusting will cost this
young chambermaid dearly at the hands of the stern housekeeper.
From Janus 18. Some priceless facial expressions — the schoolgirl awaiting her turn with the Head looks like she might wet herself with fright.
From Janus 19. A nice schoolgirl portrait but nothing particularly indicating that a punishment is in the offing.
From Janus 20. Some nautical discipline being applied to a young rating by the Captain.
From Janus 21. This is clearly a household with old-fashioned views on discipline.
I'm looking forward to more posts in this series. Such drawings were part of what made Janus so special. Some true classics here, with commentary which highlights their appeal. Paula had really internalised what male readers liked - and part of the excitement is in the idea that she'd projected onto the girl figues some aspects of her own submissive persona.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for a series, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe Janus 19 schoolgirl portrait has long been a favourite. A punishment may indeed not be in the offing. Then again she has a wary look. Corporal punishment is meted out without warning at this school. She’s just arriving in the morning. She’s on time. She’s an exemplary student. But she has been caned before, and she’d done nothing wrong. Today the Headmaster has noticed her tie is slightly loose at the collar, and he’s already thinking about her bare bottom. Twelve strokes perhaps. Straight after assembly. He already has two other sixteen year old girls booked in, but they can wait, outside his study door, while he deals with this pretty brunette. Yes, twelve strokes, and maybe something more, he decides. Well, she is very pretty.
Yes, this girl has the sullen and defiant look which necessitates thorough chastisement. She needs to be taught her place: bent over, skirt up, knickers down. No longer so full of herself, but embarrassed and ashamed. Those full lips trembling and the bright eyes filling with tears. She’ll try to be stoic but the cane will do its work; tears will splash into the wooden desk, and she’ll remember that she’s just a silly girl who has to listen to her elders and betters. Then perhaps a spot of the other to drive the lesson home. A thoroughly chastened girl sent back to class.
DeleteMy reading of the Janus 19 girl is different. To me she has the sly look of a furtive troublemaker, as like as not willing to frame goody-two-shoes classmates and get them into undeserved spanking hot water with the most sadistic schoolmasters. For larks - but also because those schoolmasters find her subterfuge useful. Of course, her own bottom would nevertheless be no stranger to the gym slipper and stick. In that respect, I'm thinking of Alice Cox, who set up the innocent Susan Hampton in Darcy's excellent illustrated story 'Most Unlikely' (August 20, 2025) I imagine the Janus 19 girl, if not Alice herself, as one of Alice's 'gang'.
DeleteI like the final girl here. She’s received six of the best, but her full lips tremble and a tear slips down her cheek as she learns that is not the end of her punishment. She’ll have to bend back over for further discipline, and soon the single tear will give way to full-on sobbing as she properly learns her lesson. Also appreciate the depiction of the tawse in the background - an excellent implement for correction not often enough depicted in these magazines.
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