The Pool of Bethesda (1998) Painting

Title taken from the apocryphal story of the healing of the paralytic. The story went that the first person into the pool after the angel stirred its waters would be cured of their paralysis. This work was influenced by many sources, Michelangelo's conception of sculpture (as emerging from a pool of water), Rodin's L'Orage, Picasso's D'emoiselles D'Anvignon (the distortions of water replacing that of faceted cubism), TS Elliot and feminist art-historical commentary on the "objectification" of the female form in art to satisfy the male gaze. This figure is undoubtedly objectified, having the appearance of stone, but it is her objectification that makes her unobtainable. She presents herself as paralysed artwork rather than warm flesh and blood and is incapable of satisfying the viewer. Whatever the viewer's feeling's, they are not reciprocated/requited. Inscribed lower left with lines from TS Elliots Gerontion:- " Think at last I have not made this show purposelessly And it is not by any concitation Of the backward devils. I would meet thou upon this honestly. I that was near your heart was removed therefrom To lose beauty in terror, terror in inquisition. I have lost my passion: why should I keep it Since what is kept must be adulterated? I have lost my sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch: How should I use them for your closer contact?”

Painting:Oil on Other

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:0.4 W x 0.4 H x 1 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.