Wednesday, September 18, 2013


I just can't...In this interesting painting the artist John Maler Collier has constructed a tableau the focus of which is a gentleman of vacuous mien, perhaps non compus mentis, recently lobotomized, in his dotage, drunk, poisoned or an opium user attended by four young women two of whom are draped over him, one offering him another drink, a third-a redhead-who is seated languidly, provocatively, also proposing more drink and a fourth-the poisoner?-in the background oblivious to her deteriorating victim while examining some wine by the light, debatable for the purpose, of some Chinese lanterns. The Garden of Armida.