Another Ratigan?

"Women are never to be entirely trusted — not the best of them..."

Before her international stardom as an opera singer, a young Mlle. Irene Relda had a profound desire for knowledge and, due to her infamous disregard for convention, she disguised herself as a male and attended Cambridge University discreetly. The only individuals aware of this façade were her godmother, Mme. Bella Actrice, and the university's Professor of Mathematics, James Ratigan. He had immediately impressed by the youth and positioned her as his protégé pupil and aide. Her brain was exceptional and could solve complex problems in sciences, physics, and mathematics. Under his exceptional educational care, he tutored Relda with great care, but when her theatrical pursuits took flight, she had no time for study and resigned. She was a tremendous overnight success!

But as the years went by, she became bored of dull routine of society and stage life. She was a well-noted adventuress and thirsted for excitement. Unsuccessful in her endeavours, she sought out her old university tutor, who by this time had already inherited his notorious reputation as head of a criminal syndicate. Her old teacher, Professor Ratigan, contentedly responded for her thrill-hunting needs, he promptly appointed her as one of his agents, later commissioned her as one of his top advisors, before becoming his Chief Continental Manager.

(As a parody of her university years and her present criminal career, I dressed up The Woman — Ratigan Style!)

Inspiration - Irene Adler (SCAN), Lillie Langtry (Historical) | Models - Gayle Hunnicutt, Francesca Annis (and 50+ others) | Costume - Professor Ratigan

Medium - 9B graphite, coloured pencil (Prismacolour, Prang, Crayola).

Mlle. Irene Relda © Diane N. Tran.
Professor (James) Ratigan © Eve Titus/Walt Disney.