Force and Reason 1939

johnduncan

gouache

abstract painting

painted

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

painterly

mythology

painting painterly

watercolor

"Force and Reason" is a 1939 painting by Scottish artist John Duncan, depicting a winged lion-like creature with a human face, a symbol of force, in confrontation with a naked young man symbolizing reason. The image evokes a struggle between primal instinct and human intellect, a timeless theme explored throughout art history. Duncan's style is characterized by a blend of symbolism and realism, resulting in a captivating and thought-provoking work.