“Il Minotaur”

Description

This classical subject, ‘The Minotaur’ is represented here in possibly a life-sized scale.  This painting is very large.  But this beast, contradictory from the lore of old, is seen here, hands tiny in size with open and palm-up gesture.  He is pleading with eyes wide, black, deep, and impoverished, a direct contrast to the man-eating creature we all know. Is he seen here in a moment contemplating this contradiction?  Is he lost and lugubrious in his labyrinth and in need of assistance and way out?  After-all this is an open stance, not unlike that of a beseeching beggar, or possibly a sorrowful prophet.  Is he asking the viewer for assistance or about to anoint them with the saintly magic about his right hand?  His hooves are invisible, but his horns are delicately rendered in decisive line and the weight of his head is felt and heavy, his body hairy and his overall shape that of a cashew.  The caricature of his face is hollow, pale, yet tender.