Gorilla c. 1986s

This drawing of a gorilla, rendered in simple lines by Saul Steinberg, presents us with a figure that’s both familiar and unsettlingly human. The upward gaze, a posture often associated with hope or supplication, invites a psychological reading. Consider the motif of the 'primal man', a theme resonant in art across epochs, from ancient myths to modern narratives. Here, the gorilla’s almost comical depiction belies a deeper connection to our own origins and subconscious fears. The broad grin, seemingly benign, might also echo the grotesque masks of ancient rituals, where laughter and horror dance together. This image, with its stark simplicity, becomes a canvas for our projections. It reflects our collective memory, tapping into primal anxieties and the ever-present tension between our civilized selves and our animalistic roots. The gorilla, gazing upwards, becomes a mirror reflecting our own aspirations and primal fears.