The Demon in the Mirror 

Editor: This is an oil painting, *The Demon in the Mirror*, by Boris Vallejo. There's definitely a classic fantasy vibe to it. The woman on the horse—she has such an intense stare! It gives the whole scene a strong, almost foreboding feeling. What's your take on it? Curator: The "Demon" isn’t so much a literal demon, but the internal struggles that our warrior confronts, perhaps visible only in the distorted reflection that she dares to meet with unwavering gaze. The symbols within, aren't they fascinating? Editor: What sort of symbols? The armor, the horse? Curator: More broadly, it evokes archetypes. The Warrior Queen…What does she signify for you, what cultural memories does it awaken? And the steed? Think of myths and legends… it embodies loyalty, strength, a conduit between worlds. Note how the steed faces us, whilst the female gaze is focused beyond our reach. Editor: So, the landscape acts as a… what, a subconscious battleground? The darkness above contrasting with the misty lightness on the ground. It does bring up ideas of duality, of a quest... maybe for self-knowledge? Curator: Precisely. And consider how the sword – a symbol both phallic and practical – is presented. The direction it's pointed in relation to the rider suggests her course forward will be dangerous but righteous. These images aren't simply decorative. They’re the language of the unconscious mind made manifest. How might modern audiences understand these now aged signifiers? Editor: That really makes me look at it differently. I was just seeing a strong female character, but it's like there's a whole internal world being represented here. A mirror of her soul... Curator: Precisely. It invites us to reflect on our own inner "demons" and the journeys we undertake to confront them. A hero is one who has gazed upon their own distorted truth, accepting strength with humility.