Wednesday, May 18, 2016

"Mercy is Begged",...and denied




3 comments:

  1. I have to admit, I sometimes think of human beings as cruelty incarnate. It's not a happy feeling to have, but being the target of several consecutive decades of state-sponsored hate can give one a jaundiced attitude.

    I like the oil painting. I think the theme is "Love Conquers All." Is that an iron crown lying on the floor, along with the sword and dagger of Mars, god of war? Seems hard to reconcile those things.

    The pre-Pythagorean philosopher Empedocles said that the world consists of these things: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Love and Strife. The last two always seem to be in some sort of juxtaposition in these "Amor Vincit Omnia" images.

    Z

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  2. Or maybe Amor himself is going to pick up that other weapon, the one by his hand - I think it might be a crossbow whose crossbar is obscured by his drapery - and plug us with one of his bolts. All's fair in love and war, they say.

    Z

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  3. Perhaps "Amor" is going to protect, and avenge the guiltless, and kindly.

    We can, but Hope.

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