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Charon, 1976
The painting 'Charon' from 1976 by Jan Lebenstein is a work belonging to the original variant of figurative painting with strong influences of surrealism. The work depicts the mythological Charon, the ferryman of souls from the underworld, shown as a grim reaper figure against the background of the sea and an island on the horizon, referencing Arnold Böcklin's 'Isle of the Dead'. The composition combines death symbolism and mythological references with an expressive style, emphasizing the topos of Thanatos and reflecting on the civilizational heritage of humanity and the inevitability of death.
Portrait of the Creator
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Artist
Jan Lebenstein
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Date of birth and death
5 January 1930 – 28 May 1999
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Natinality
Polish
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Style
Figurative painting with surreal and abstract elements
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Significant works
Biblical cycles, stained glass, literary illustrations including ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell
Information about the work
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Year:
1976
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Execution technique:
Gouache, pastel, pencil, ink, paper glued to cardboard
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Location:
private collection, Poznań
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Theme:
classical mythology, death, Thanatos, symbolism, surrealism, expression
Internal Narrative and Creative Framework
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Inner Narrative
The work refers to archetypes and myths as our cultural heritage and the mystery of human fate; it depicts the moment of the soul's journey to the afterworld as a universal symbol of life and death.
The key to interpreting the work
Interpretation should consider the symbolic meanings of the characters and elements of the composition – Charon, the naked woman, the beast, and the island – as well as the combination of reality with mythological metaphor.Auction information
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Estimated price:
150 000 - 200 000 zł
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Auction price:
170 000 zł
See other works by this artist
