The Arrows of Life
- Author of the reproduced work: Balla Giacomo
- Caption: 200. The Arrows of Life (1928). oil on wood, 35 1/2 x 39 3/8 inches. Collection Balla, Rome. A thicket is the point of departure for this abstractsymbolic painting. destiny, that measures everything, is represented by a carpenter´s rule. The shafts or tree-like forms are the obstacles that hinder us. At left center, the arrows pointing in different directions stand for coiling streamer slithers in and out. The two red heart shapes symbolize love; as the coiling streamer approaches them it takes on their color. The dark greens of the underbrush are snares. the transparent light given off by the carpenter´s rule represents happy people, while the suffering are represented by the dark areas in the lower right. Balla himself carved and painted the yellow and green frame with its words and phrases: "The Arrows of Life" (top); "Idealism, Art" (right); "Struggles, Snares, Obstacles" (bottom); "Ambition, Love" (left)
- Place: Roma
- Year of the work: 1928
- Image typology: painting
- Instalment form
- Riffle the Instalment
Research Units
Collaborations
Impressum
