Blindness and Cupidity Chasing Joy from the City
Blindness and Cupidity Chasing Joy from the City

Image credit: De Morgan Collection

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Here Cupidity, hoarding his jewels carefully in his cloak, and wearing a golden crown, is shackled to Blindness by chains and spikes. They are driving out the angel of joy from the city. The scroll on the right reads:

'Hunted Joy flies through the gate.
Blind Blindness is left desolate.
Cupidity the city’s fate.
The hungry hounds insatiate,
Stays fettered to a sightless mate'

This is a warning not to become so focused on worldly goods and possessions, that we forget the joy of life and the joy of life to come.
Title

Blindness and Cupidity Chasing Joy from the City

Date

1897

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 96.5 x W 137.2 cm

Accession number

P_EDM_0018

Acquisition method

gift

Work type

Painting

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De Morgan Collection

England

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