Ship of Fools

24 x 24
oil and wax and papers on canvas

SOLD

A masked figure and the Medieval plague doctor form the basis for a painting about the human condition, fools aboard a vessel put to sea.

The fear of the “virus,” differing views of its treatment, and the relinquishing of freedoms to “The Science,” has been sad and divisive.  The human condition does not lean to compassion and love, but foolishness.

Thankfully one figure stands out. His hands compassionately hold the face of another.  He “well knows the pograms of fools, (Suzanne Rhodes, Sunday Service at The Home for the Incurables.) My painting also brings to mind the “Ship of Fools” painted by Medieval artist, Hieronymus Bosch, who said, “Which one of us does not sail in the wretched discomfort of the ship of human folly?”

We feel a hateful kinship with them. The Ship of Fools is not about other people, it is about us.

This painting is now available as a limited edition giclee print.

Stephen Patelo (NYC) made this “mashup” overlaying  the original band World Party playing “Ship of Fools” with my painting.