The End of Advent

I’ve noticed in recent years, however, that the feeling comes over me more rarely than it used to, and for shorter bits of time. I have to pursue the sense of wonder, the taste in the air, and cling to it self-consciously. Even for me, the endless roar of untethered Christmas anticipation is close to drowning out the disciplined anticipation of Advent. And when Christmas itself arrives, it has begun to seem a day not all that different from any other. Oh, yes, church and home to a big dinner. Presents for the children. A set of decorations. But nothing special, really.

from "The End of Advent"

by Joseph Bottom

 

Complexity of Art: Imagery and Types

Sometimes I tear the front of a card apart from the handwritten greeting, if the picture is interesting and the text not so much. 

The Scapegoat by William Holman Hunt (1854-55) is one such picture I found filed away.

Although the composition includes an animal, colorful rainbow, and majestic mountain scape, I knew that I couldn't recycle the image to send to just anyone. 

Maybe I'll just keep it for mental exercise. 

What questions would you ask?

Here is a link to a more extended discussion about the piece and the artist:

 The Scapegoat