The Death of Marcus Aurelius

The Death of Marcus Aurelius

Monday, December 12, 2022

Life's Illusions


George Frederic Watts, Life's Illusions (1849)



3 comments:

  1. I understand the bubble and the cliff, but who are the naked ladies supposed to be? Or are they tied into the riches at the edge of the cliff?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a Symbolist painter, Watts can sometimes be cryptic ;-) I have never found any explanation of this work, but I have taken these figures to be "elevated" souls who are rising above the vanities and illusions. That may well be completely wrong, and only reflecting what I wish to see . . .

      Delete