Extravagancy of Time 2019

Michael Cheval painted this intriguing oil on canvas, filled with symbols that transcend mere representation. The clock, prominently displayed around the figure's neck, is not just a marker of hours; it’s a potent symbol of temporality, echoing the vanitas paintings of old where time is a relentless force. This recalls the cyclical nature of time, reminiscent of the Ouroboros—the snake eating its own tail—that represents the eternal return. Notice the gears beneath the dress; this motif is associated with time, as well as the Industrial Age’s obsession with mechanistic precision, juxtaposed against the flowing drapes that suggest Baroque exuberance. Such imagery evokes a sense of the absurd, of the subconscious bubbling to the surface, bringing forth anxieties about time's fleeting nature. Here, time isn't linear but a theatrical extravagance, an emotional paradox that resurfaces through history and culture.