The Lugubrious Mysterious Midnight Hour Phantom Green Cheese Moon c. 1922

Here, Edward Steichen presents us with a composition dominated by primal shapes: a green moon looms over red triangular forms, all under the watchful gaze of an emerald bird. The moon, an age-old symbol, frequently embodies mystery and the cyclical nature of time, while birds are commonly seen as messengers between the earthly and divine realms. Consider how similar avian figures flit through ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and later, appear as heraldic emblems in medieval crests, their symbolic flight paths connecting diverse cultures across time. Note the eyes embedded within the red forms; they evoke a sense of watchful presence. This motif harkens back to the "evil eye" apotropaic symbols found across Mediterranean cultures, meant to ward off negative forces. The emotional resonance of such imagery persists, engaging us on a visceral level, stirring deep-seated anxieties and protective instincts. As we reflect, remember how these elemental forms and symbols are not static relics, but rather, living entities that continuously evolve, resurfacing in diverse guises across the vast expanse of human culture.