The painting, The Coven, shows nine cloaked people gathered in some sort of ceremony. Usually covens are associated with witches, and in this painting, the cross that usually represents Christianity is used, not in respect of Christianity, but in unbelief of the resurrected Christ.
The group takes up most of the canvas, and the members’ backs are facing the viewer. Light is coming from above and the person on the right seems to be smaller in stature and isolated.
The artist has blurred the painting with layers of thin paint going in several directions. The cross itself is well lit, and is in direct contrast to the dark cloaks. The cloaks themselves seem to be a mix of violet-black colours. In colour theory, the negative traits of purple and violet, include fraudulence and corruption, delusions of grandeur and immaturity. Black is representative of darkness as opposed to light, and is symbolical of death and sorrow. The soft yellow colour used for the cross represents courage, intelligence, joy and jubilation.
Perhaps the message the artist wished this painting to convey, is that, despite the reality of sin and death in a wicked world, the resurrected Christ is victorious.
Acrylic on Masonite, date unknown.
コメント