Babits: The book of Jonah III. 

Maria Bozoky created this drawing, "Babits: The Book of Jonah III," with ink on paper. Here, the figure of Jonah is rendered amidst symbols of divine wrath and repentance. Note the plants in the foreground, possibly gourds, which are symbols of the story of Jonah, where a gourd sheltered him from the sun, representing divine mercy. Yet, it is also a reminder of the transient nature of life, as the gourd withered quickly, teaching Jonah about compassion. This motif can be found in other biblical illustrations across time and culture where plants appear to have a double meaning of protection and fragility, and therefore, a commentary on human fate. In the background, the architecture, particularly the arches, frames scenes of lament and reflection, evoking both confinement and spiritual passage. The intensity of the ink strokes captures Jonah’s internal turmoil. The chaotic lines are more than mere strokes; they are carriers of intense emotional states, engaging our subconscious. These symbols remind us of the cyclical, non-linear progression of symbols as they resurface through the ages, acquiring new meanings and relevance in ever-changing contexts.