Holy Icon

“Life Rushes into a City Museum”, acrylic on canvas, Bishop Maxim, 2023

In history's archived “class”, the disorder of youthful otherness invades! As a city museum, Venice is unexpectedly visited by the swelling life of youthful freedom, which awakens the archived past from its museum enchantment. A girl balancing on a boat gondola associates a carefree walk-through of antiquity and the present—toward the future. The details of the hair and hat of the young woman, all scenes from behind, make a focal point as she surveys the way ahead unfolding in front of her. This future is what is all promised and unknown. Her hands suggest a delicate balance as she moves with the current without oars, trusting the water and more interested in what she is seeing and experiencing than in rushing to get somewhere. It is an image of active presence to “what is” embodied and watchful. We cannot see her feet or whether there is one in the boat who steers it for her and protect her. A glorious sunset beckons with billowing clouds hiding the fullness of the sun. She feels free enough to stand, suggesting there is someone with her even though there are no other people to be seen in the painting. She is the center of our attention, and the world is the center of hers.