Study for "Asellus"; verso: blank page 1964

Editor: This is Paul Feeley's "Study for 'Asellus'," and although the date is unknown, the artist lived from 1910 to 1966. It's deceptively simple, just watercolor on paper. I am curious about your interpretation. What symbols are at play here, given the title? Curator: "Asellus," meaning donkey or ass in Latin, connects us to ancient folklore and constellations. Notice how the radiating pencil lines under the washes resemble star charts. Do you see how Feeley might be linking the humble donkey to celestial maps? Editor: I do see that. It's like he's elevating something ordinary. Curator: Precisely. The concentric shapes, pulsating between warm red and cool blue, create a sense of visual rhythm. These colors are symbolically linked to passion and tranquility, chaos and order. Could Feeley be charting not just the stars, but also the inner self? Editor: That makes me see it in a completely new light. I had only noticed the simple shapes, but now it is so much more complex.