Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, French
“You Know, You Don’t Need To Blow That Thing To Call For a Winged Chariot Anymore. They Have An App Now,” ca. 1814
Oil on canvas
Follow That Is Priceless on Social Media and GoComics (the Link button):
Click to Follow This Blog or Share This Masterpiece:
The first Olympics fan with the first vuvuzela.
/// From the terrors that warfare will cause,
the shocked brain of the soldier withdraws.
From filth, pain and mud,
and wounds which gush blood,
and some actions which broke nature’s laws.
/// His mind flees, if it can, to a place
filled with brightness and calmness and grace.
Where a vision is born
of a goddess and horn,
confirmation that he’s won the race.
/// His spear, shield and helmet — pristine.
His flesh is intact, strong and clean.
Here is perfect rapport
and no flashbacks of war.
Not dead nor alive — in between.
/// In true battle when enemies pounce
there is gore in horrific amounts.
But, instead this calm scene,
and he sits here serene
watching Nike, his triumph, announce.
/// Winged Victory well knew her place.
She’d stay away from Samothrace.
The oracle spoke:
“Once there you’ll be broke,
disarmed and completely defaced.”