OCEAN ROAR - 24 x 53 INCHES
PRINT ON CANVAS
24 x 53 INCHES
Signed and Numbered Limited Edition
$2,800.00
At a glance, we see the centaur who has stopped by the tree, seeing the reflection of his face for the first time. Being aware of himself as a horse with base instincts, he finally has a chance to recognize his human nature, thus illustrating the dualistic nature of people.
The centaur in Ancient Greek mythology was a symbol of man living by his baser impulses, especially lust, violence and drunkenness. In Greek Art, this was shown as a horse with a human torso and head. The creature earned its heavenly place as a southern constellation.
The dualism of human nature is the key idea of the famous novel by Robert Luis Stevenson, "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, published in 1886, centuries after the Greeks addressed it in centaur imagery. Dr. Jekyll literally divides his personality in two parts so he can live as he really wishes: Jekyll as the honest, respected doctor, and Hyde, ruled by immoral actions and base instincts. This duality symbolizes the philosophical concept called “the struggle and unity of the opposites”.
In the painting, the human nature, reason and intelligence, is taking over, therefore signaling inevitable progress.
