I included this photo called Gilles Receives a Seashell because it fascinates me. Did the cottontail rabbit (not a domesticated variety) present Gilles with his seashell? Why is Gilles wearing a clown suit, but no makeup? Why are the two of them intently staring at one another? And what is that book? I'd really like to get to know these two.
To me he seems to be looking beyond the bunny, like Botticelli's Venus/Primavera looks beyond us all. Indulge me.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'll indulge you, but the more I look at this, the more I think the clown is looking at the tips of the rabbit's ears.
DeleteI'm getting an Alice in Wonderland vibe-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteThe text to accompany this image: "Gilles receives a sea shell from Columbine. When he puts it to his ear, he hears her say, "I love you"." In the second image, "Gilles builds a house of cards to share with Columbine." In the third image "Gilles receives a letter announcing the marriage of Columbine to Harlequin." And in the final image "Wounded by grief, Gilles dies of melancholy." Sad story! And I still don't know why the rabbit is there in the fist image....
ReplyDeleteSo I take it that the rabbit isn't Columbine? It just gets stranger.
DeleteAn internet search reveals that the story of Harlequin and Columbine has been a standard in theater, ballet and art since at least 16th century Italy. Michals, of course, turns the focus of the story to Clown, who is usually a minor character trying to keep the lovers apart. I am sure there is some symbolism to the rabbit, or maybe it is a play on words; I just have not studied the story enough to know!
ReplyDeleteThe rabbit is a symbol of the moon, and Gilles is a lunar, dreamer character. It's probably the reason why Columbine preferred Harlequin.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI knew somebody could explain it--Thanks!
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