Cronus Young 1968

David Hare’s Cronus Young presents us with a striking composition of forms, a tension between defined lines and amorphous color fields, primarily blues, yellows and browns. The overall effect is both unsettling and intriguing. Hare's work often delves into myth and the subconscious. The image, seemingly fragmented, evokes the ancient Greek myth of Cronus, who swallowed his children. Note how Hare destabilizes our perception through this tension between representation and abstraction, form and formlessness. The stark contrast between the solid blue arm and the more ethereal rendering of the head destabilizes any sense of a coherent narrative. The color functions as a signifier. Blue perhaps represents the coldness or detachment associated with Cronus's actions. The painting's enduring power lies in its ability to resist easy interpretation. The composition’s structure challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the complexities of mythological narratives.