Old Man and the Sea 2019

Editor: This oil painting, “Old Man and the Sea” by Michael Cheval, made in 2019, is visually striking. The juxtaposition of realistic elements like the marlin with the surreal lions in the sky gives it a dreamlike quality. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: It’s a captivating piece, layered with imagery that speaks to archetypal narratives. The lions above immediately suggest a primal force, a kind of watchful, paternalistic energy, don't you think? Given the title, this could also symbolize nature's indifferent power. How do they speak to you? Editor: That’s interesting, the lions could be seen as symbols of power or nature. I was drawn to the figures almost hidden in the bottom right—are they significant? Curator: Absolutely. Notice how those figures, almost part of the sea itself, are integrated with Hemingway’s face, cradling it? This evokes the sea as the source of life and stories, a vessel holding our collective cultural memory, and possibly nods to archetypal themes. Who do you think those characters represent? Editor: They look like various characters, perhaps representing humanity's connection to nature… but why are they almost hidden, as if ashamed of their involvement? Curator: Exactly! This positioning encourages us to contemplate their relationship to the 'Old Man’ in the boat – his journey, struggles and what the quest reveals about them too. What is so attractive in stories like The Old Man and The Sea, do you think? Editor: I guess it touches upon universal themes – struggle, resilience, and the relationship between humans and nature… So you're suggesting Cheval's work uses recognizable symbols to trigger deeper reflection. Curator: Precisely! Visual symbolism provides bridges to cultural memory, allowing narratives to speak to us across time and space. It's all interconnected, isn't it? Editor: I hadn’t thought about the cultural memory aspect before. It’s like the painting is holding a mirror to our shared understanding of these timeless stories.