La Jolla Beach 

Rose O'Neill painted this oil on canvas, "La Jolla Beach," sometime in her lifetime. The most compelling symbol here is water, specifically the ocean. Since the earliest civilizations, the sea has represented both the source of life and a threatening force. In ancient mythologies, from the Greeks with Poseidon to the Norse with Aegir, the sea was governed by powerful gods, reflecting humanity's complex relationship with this vast, uncontrollable element. The sea, as an archetypal image, evokes our deepest subconscious fears and desires. Consider Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus,” where Venus emerges from the sea, symbolizing fertility and renewal. This archetype persists through time, echoing in contemporary works. The ebb and flow of tides mirror life's cyclical nature, reminding us of the constant change and the inevitable return to the source. O'Neill's portrayal of the sea engages with this ancient, collective memory, stirring profound emotional and psychological responses within us, reminding us of the sea's timeless power.