Mother Gothel's Design and Concept Artwork

Mother Gothel's Final Design

What did she end up wearing and finally look like in the actual film?

Rapunzel Fairy Tale by Anne Anderson Print
by CollageMontage
Large format poster printing by zazzle

Her outfit is actually very similar to this early Edwardian illustration of Mother Gothel climbing Rapunzel's hair by illustration by Anne Anderson - gold belt, red, flowing gown and a dark hooded cloak. Being 'young and sexy' however, the Tangled version's dress shows off her cleavage, and clings to her curves.

Physical attributes: Slender but busty, fair skinned, thick black curly (slightly afro) hair, and pale blue eyes (which often look dark because of the large pupils of the character animation). She's definitely shorter than Flynn, and taller than Rapunzel, and as Rapunzel is clearly a twelve year old, that makes Mother Gothel average height. (Confirmed by the scene where she meets with Maximus, unless he's a mutant horse.)

Her thumbnails are painted black, but the rest are red. Her lips are pink, and her skin is pale, for a classically dramatic 'Snow White' type look!

Japanese Tangled Poster

A Japanese poster for Tangled, featuring Mother Gothel

Mother Gothel Concept Art by Lisa Keene

Concept painting of Mother Gothel and Rapunzel by Lisa Keene

Concept art of Mother Gothel brushing Rapunzel's hair in the tower

A less clear view from further back.

Mother Gothel Concept Art by Lauren Airriess

Rapunzel sneaking away while Mother Gothel sleeps

Rapunzel and Mother Gothel by Lauren Airriess

Various Mother Gothel concepts, by Lauren Airriess

Mother Gothel Concept Art by Jeff Turley

Tangled Concept art by Jeff Turley - Mother Gothel and Rapunzel

Tangled Concept art by Jeff Turley - Mother Gothel and Flynn

Concept art of Mother Gothel and Rapunzel - looks like Jeff Turley's work?

Mother Gothel Concept Art by Shiyoon Kim

Portrait and Profile sketch of Mother Gothel by Shiyoon Kim

Pencil sketch of Mother Gothel holding Rapunzel by Shiyoon Kim

Concept art of Mother Gothel and Baby Rapunzel by Shiyoon Kim

Mother Gothel Concept Art by Glen Keane

Tangled Concept art by Glen Keane - Mother Gothel and Rapunzel

Early sketch of Mother Gothel and Rapunzel by Glen Keane

An early concept sketch of Mother Gothel and Rapunzel by Glen Keane, the guy who drew Ariel the Little Mermaid - who Rapunzel was based off.

Early sketches of Mother Gothel (that looks like Glen Keane's work)

Mother Gothel Illustrations by David Gilson

One of the illustrators for the Rapunzel books

Art of the characters by David Gilson (one of the artists for some of the spin-off Rapunzel books - e.g. Rapunzel's Tale)

Concept art of Mother Gothel by Unknown Artists

Concept art of Mother Gothel from the Disney Tangled Display

Concept sketch of Mother Gothel brushing Rapunzel's hair

Sketches of Mother Gothel in various poses

Final Pictures of Mother Gothel

Concept art that looks like the final Mother Gothel (artist unknown)

A colour painting of Mother Gothel in her red dress

Old Mother Gothel

Mother Gothel ages into dust when Rapunzel's hair is cut

Concept art from The Art of Tangled

Rapunzel by Anne Anderson Print
by fairytaleart
View more Rapunzel Posters

Traditionally, Mother Gothel is old by the time Rapunzel reaches adulthood - if only because so many years since the beginning of the story have passed! However, in Tangled, she starts off old, and the entire film revolves around her trying to stay young.


At the end off the film, she rapidly ages and dissolves into dust, after losing the magic of Rapunzel's hair.

Concept art of old Mother Gothel by Shiyoon Kim

Mother Gothel Transform Study by Jin Kim

Mother Gothel Transform Study continued

Concept sketches of Mother Gothel aging and her character card at the Disney Tangled display

Mother Gothel concept art - young and old versions in a blue dress

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