At first glance, its insanity…Or perhaps a depiction of some drug induced psychedelic trip. There is so much going on at once that it is hard for the eye to pick a single spot to focus on, and looking at it all at once is an overwhelming frenzy of naked people and strange creature in mystical places, some looking pleasant and others utterly terrifying.

Only when focusing in on certain sections that it tells a deeper story. I’m not really sure If I know what that story is, I’ll be honest, but It’s there. However, even though I can’t see a specific meaning to the work, there is a contrast in this painting that sticks out to me particularly; The top left and right corners. The two locations couldn’t be further away on the canvas world and thematically they are just as far apart. The right depicts a black fortress, overrun with distant flames and soldiers and demons wielding spears and axes. Everything living in this part of the painting looks distressed or sadistic. The left Side of the painting is the complete polar opposite; it is a bright sunny day in a valley of fresh grass surrounded by mountains. There are peaceful looking creatures – both real and fictitious in design –  grazing and drinking from the river which runs by them. It is by far the most peaceful place in the painting and the only place I wouldn’t ever want to find myself if I had to jump into this work of art. It escapes the weird orgies of characters and horrid war zones, the strange looking rituals that are taking place in the painting seem to be alluded by this quiet little section and its the only part which seems to be still in the painting.

My strange take on the painting: Perhaps it’s a snapshot of a period of time and place, maybe far in the future or in an ancient past, perhaps even some other realm or universe? Because after all, any thing seems weird if you far enough removed from it. I’m certain if a mural of the 21st century was painted – depicting all of  our modern gadgets and strange clothing/fashion trends, and then this was shown to a person from the 14th century; It would seem just as bizarre to them as this painting does to us.