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The concept behind this painting is the depiction of the conflict between good and evil and dark and light. In it Mephisto is depicted as somewhat attractive and alluring (albeit in a kind of Las Vegas showgirl way) which can make it easier for people to be seduced by this deception into actions that seem on the surface to be serving good but in fact can be just the opposite. The position of the main figures foot residing on top of the gray head represent suppression (suppression of ideas, speech, beliefs, artistic expression, knowledge, etc.) in the name of noble causes. The books and the door to what I consider the library is also relates to this theme. The blue horse represents good intentions which can sometimes be distorted by those who would use them for their own purposes. The figure with the mask is just that, people hide behind masks all the time for good or ill. The dancing croc is a representation of the same ideas as above. Sometimes things that seem playful and innocent have sharp claws. In the upper right is the golden statue representing all things good.
I did however try to make the overall feel of the painting playful because I believe all this is some great dance or game to which we don’t have the music.
The inspiration for completion of this painting came from the fact that I was studying for a performance of Shumann’s “Scene’s from Faust” (I sing with the Masterwork Chorus in NJ) and even though the original sketch was done a year or so before in all jelled around that time. So when it comes down to it the whole picture has a kind of Faustian theme.
There are more figures floating in and out of the background that don’t show up very well on the web that ad to the overall theme of the painting also some of the same can only be seen when viewed from a distance.
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