LEVIATHAN

By Dmytro Baryshev

The painting Leviathan as an allegory of the enormous force of chaos and inevitability that interact with humanity and nature. 1 Symbol of Power and Chaos Leviathan based on the biblical and mythological tradition personifies limitless power and incomprehensible chaos. The painting depicts him as gigantic, complex and living creature, his form replete with details as if consists of many stories, events and conflicts combined into a single whole.

Leviathan is interpreted as embodiment of elements, an unruly force of nature that is much larger and older than humanity. 

In modern interpretation Leviathan symbolizes a state that suppresses individuals with its scale and incomprehensible complexity. There is a dualism of nature.

Fiery colors bring feelings of destruction and transformation hinting at inevitable cleansing. Small human figures emphasize the grandeur of his creature and symbolize helplessness before the forces of nature.

The background of the picture made in bright heavenly colors creates a sense of space reminiscent of Leviathan's place in the cosmic order. This is not a physical entity, but also an idea of something limitless that can not be understood and controlled. 

He floats between two worlds and carries a philosophical square and the cup of Jesus which creates a complex religious and philosophical subtext. One world is material earthy dimension , the second world is the divine space associated with the highest values ​​of truth and eternity. The square, as a symbol of human understanding and stability and order, carries the material world while holding its structure. The cup as a symbol of spiritual redemption. In the Christian tradition, the cup (holy grail) is associated with the Last Supper, the sacrifice of Christ and the acquisition of eternal life. Its presence within the Leviathan adds the idea of ​​atonement of spiritual purification. This concept reminds the viewer of the complex nature of existence where every destruction leads to rebirth.

Canvas, acrylic, oil, texture, epoxy

120 cm x 90 cm

47 inch x 35 inch 

exclusively for ART BASEL 2024 by Dmytro Baryshev