Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Love or Duty


Love or Duty, an 1871 chromolithograph by Gabrielé Castagnola. The painting depicts a nun and an artist who have fallen in love, but the nun is torn between her heart and her duty to God. The image contains several symbolic suggestions. From her wrist, two charms can be seen: a human skull and a crucifix; the latter partially hidden in her sleeve. Meanwhile, the artist's cape has shifted slightly to reveal a dagger.
Happy Valentines Day

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