Fortitude 

Mary Jane Ansell’s painting presents us with a figure adorned with potent symbols, stirring deep resonances within our collective memory. Note the unicorn emblazoned on the figure’s breastplate, set against a flag divided by a cross. This heraldic symbol, often associated with purity and grace, contrasts starkly with the raw, untamed antlers she holds. The unicorn, a mythical beast of healing and innocence, stretches back to ancient Greek and Persian lore, where it was described as a fierce, wild creature. In medieval times, it evolved into a symbol of Christ, its horn believed to purify water. Here, its juxtaposition with antlers - emblems of virility and the hunt - creates a fascinating tension. These symbols of strength and purity pull at the threads of cultural memory. They evoke ancestral rites, and unconsciously remind us of our need for protection. This is not a linear progression but a dance, where the past is continually refigured in the present, challenging us to consider how symbols morph and endure, shaping our understanding of courage across time.