Zeus and Psyche n.d.

Lazzaro Tavarone sketched "Zeus and Psyche" using pen and brown ink with watercolor. We see Zeus and Psyche amidst the clouds, observed by a helmeted Athena. The eagle at Zeus's feet is more than just a symbol of power. Its piercing gaze embodies divine authority, a motif that echoes through the ages, from ancient Roman standards to modern national emblems. The way Zeus rests his arm over Psyche's shoulders echoes gestures of authority found in imperial portraits, projecting both dominance and protection. Athena's helmet signifies wisdom and strategic prowess, but also a detachment, as she remains a spectator in the unfolding drama of love and transformation. These symbols are not static; they evolve. Consider how the eagle, once a beacon of imperial might, later soared as a symbol of national identity. Such transformations reveal the complex layers of cultural memory. Symbols possess a visceral power, stirring deep, often unconscious, emotions. The imagery reflects how symbols are in a continuous, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across various historical contexts.