The Little Hours 

Editor: So, this vibrant piece, "The Little Hours" by Robert Sammelin, appears to be an oil painting, maybe even poster art. It definitely throws off this playful yet…sinister vibe with the figures. The nun in the middle strikes me as central. What's your interpretation of this slightly chaotic composition? Curator: Chaotic is a wonderful way to describe it. It has this old movie poster energy about it. It is so evocative and really leans into a pulp magazine cover aesthetic, perhaps playing with the inherent tension when piety meets, well, the opposite. The title is ironic, almost a wink to the audience. What story do you think this snapshot is trying to tell? Editor: It almost feels like a rebellious take on a classic narrative – is that erotic tension? I wonder how the artist thought about flipping the traditional religious imagery into something… mischievous? Curator: Mischievous is spot on! See how the dark reds and greens clash against the white habit of the nun, this creates a strong contrast. The gaze seems a bit too forward for a work tied to religious settings, doesn't it? Think about it – Sammelin makes us question the familiar, like a comedian telling a joke with a perfectly straight face. The artist almost paints a world where anything is possible. Where sacred stories become... cheeky tales. Editor: That's so true. Now I’m seeing how it winks to this specific audience that recognizes religious imagery, but also understands satire. So this painting, besides being technically skilled, kind of plays with our expectations, making a statement? Curator: Precisely! It stirs the pot, makes us giggle and think, and that's the magic, isn't it? Now I will always appreciate a little chaos that provokes thought. Editor: This gave me a whole new outlook. It's a good reminder to question the first impression.