Madonna and the Devil, 1987-1988 Digital

Item — Box: LTFBOX/MYERS Box 2

Identifier(s): H2019.292/20; H2019.292/20A

Madonna and the Devil

Scope and contents

Shows an oval image with the crowned figure of the Madonna on the left and the devil on the right.

Described by Gianni Menichetti in 'Notes about Vali's drawings in this book' (YMS 16336, Box 6/3): "In the village of Montepertuso, behind the high cliffs of Il Porto, the people yearly celebrate the festival of their Madonna with a great profusion of fireworks. It's the 'mystery' of the challenge between the Madonna and the Devil in cutting the archway in the cliff from which the village got its name. In vain the Devil tries his most violent and brutish efforts. But the Madonna will succeed with just her little finger. The brute male human force and the female hand of Nature. 'Wisdom that's gone beyond, and beyond the beyond..."

On reverse of this drawing is a loose sketch of a man with an earring and wild hair at H2019.292/20A. The drawing is executed in pencil, black ink, sepia and watercolour. There are watercolour and pen and ink marks on the right hand side and some faint pencil notes.

Dates

1987-1988

Creator

Myers, Vali, 1930-2003 (Artist, Person)

Conditions governing use

Copyright status

This work is in copyright.

Extent

2 drawings (1 sheet) : pen, sepia and watercolour ; 33 x 22.5 cm

Additional description

General note

Reproduced in 'Vali Myers: Between the dusk and dawn', Bundoora, La Trobe University, 2013, p. 67.

Exhibited: Vali Myers: Between the Dusk and the Dawn, Latrobe University Museum of Art, Bundoora, 2013.