Roman holiday 2017

Andrey Remnev painted "Roman Holiday," employing the serene image of a sleeping woman surrounded by swans. The swan, a symbol steeped in mythology, often represents grace, beauty, and purity. In Greek myth, swans are associated with Apollo, the god of music and light, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, often depicted riding a swan. Here, we see the swan clustered densely, almost protectively, around the sleeping figure, suggesting themes of tranquility and guarded innocence. This motif of sleep, the slumbering figure, invites us to consider its echo in works throughout history, from classical sculptures of sleeping Ariadne to Renaissance depictions of Venus. Sleep has always represented a transit state between consciousness and subconsciousness, where symbols take on greater importance. Here, the protective swans and the sleeping woman stir collective memories. These symbols engage the viewer on a subconscious level, revealing how deeply rooted symbols resonate and resurface across time.