A Renfield painting...of Renfield

An ode to the man himself: Dwight Frye in Dracula, in glorious Universal horror black & white. I was of course profoundly affected by this film as a child, and the erotic significance of the relationship between Dracula and Mister Renfield was not lost on me (nor was it lost on the censors of the era).

All eroticism and crisp, tailored fetishes aside I find Dwight Frye's performance in the film extremely subtle & refined. From the camp, carefree traveller going on to Borgo Pass to the foot of the stairs in Dracula's castle, he transforms entirely. And that's before he goes mad.

"Well...Good-Night!"


The Blood is the Life, Don't You Know (oil on canvas, 8x10)