“La barca dei dannati”

The work inspired by Charon is a metaphor for life. I chose to structure it in a pyramidal shape, like a triangle (which symbolizes the sky and the aspiration toward the divine), with the base of the triangle represented by the boat and Charon rising above everyone like a god—forming the apex of the triangle.

The boat symbolizes life itself, carrying human beings (the damned) along their existential journey. Charon, towering above all, represents fate, mercilessly ferrying them through the course of life.

There is turmoil and agitation on the boat, symbolized by the only two female figures, who are the true protagonists of the scene and appear at the stern. They are the personifications of Despair (with the black veil) and Fear (with the green veil), governing all the emotional states on board.

The chromatic tones of the sky (blue and orange) symbolize the transition from life to the afterlife (or the underworld), reflecting the original meaning of the myth of Charon.

The acrylic section, with a black background and golden streaks—also used in other of my paintings—represents Light breaking through darkness.