Hic Est Rex Illuminati Mundi by Mondwin
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Description
First of all be understanding, drawing quality is not great because of reduced size and quality to be within the limits of Renderosity. As other times in the past, the title is not correct Latin because I have privileged the musicality rather than grammar.
Along human history many people aspired to global power, to be 'The King of the World'. Many historical figures were considered (or considered themselves) as King of the World: from Ancient Egyptian Pharaos to Roman Emperor, Middle Age kings and Queen Victoria. In the past, the only limitation in achieving this goal was the impossibility of doing so (mainly due technology and social limitations, but not only). Today is another story. Globalization can be seen as a stage in the worldwide dominance of an elite or a single man. Today, technology allows to do anything, anywhere in the world. Nations, ethnic groups, peoples, traditions are no more obstacles for economic and political activities. Even more than in the past, them are only tools used and abused for PRIVATE and PERSONAL purposes by powerful people.
I will spare you the Conspiracy Theories. You can believe it or not. The main fact is another: anyone who has the material ability to exercise power, leadership and authority, he will do it. This is part of human being. But:
- What is the limit between authority or leadership and despotism?
- Or between cultural influence and domination?
- Or between the global market (for all people) and financial speculation (for elite only)?
And so on.
I also have another question/observation to do, and this is the main idea of my picture above. Consider for a moment the idea of 'The King of the World' (if it is real or impossible, now it is not conclusive). I believe that the power of 'The King of the World' is only apparent. Perhaps we are his subjects (and prisoners), but he also is a prisoner (and subject)... of the world.
Someone (maybe) governs the fate of the world, but the world is not what we think, not only. If you remember my previous post about Anima Mundi and related consideration, you can understand the fate of the world is simply beyond all human possibilities. Do you really think that one or more men may decide in place of Mother Nature or God? Who are we to decide in place of Mother Nature or God?
(Note: for the background I have used one of the many available photos of famous 'Pillars of Creations' part of the Eagle nabula. For more info start from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillars_of_Creation
and many other web sites. The meaning of my choice is evident: in a similar place began the history of the Earth, the world which everyone wants to dominate. But still you have to ask yourselves about immense forces of the creation. Really men can dominate these forces?)
Away from any consideration, there is a fundamental difference between the past ages and the present day (and a dark future): in past ages few people wanted to become King of the World, today there are so many ... too many.
So I have to repeat what I wrote for my previous work:
Each of us, honestly, knows or should know the answer. Maybe it's time to follow the heart, to use the reason, not the cruelty and abuse. It is time to think about, it is time to build our future not to destroy it.
Comments (264)
anianiani
Great art always.
1358
an amazing once a year treat for the senses... this year another treat..
emmecielle
Fantastic composition! :)
gibby.g
Powerful work both in your narrative and the excellent artwork!
legolie
Excellent painting work and concept !
A_Sunbeam
This king looks trapped by his own desires ... So many are dominated by their possessions and desires. Are such people really free?
kaliente
Eres realmente un gran artista, profundo y de gran espiritualidad que hace palidecer a mis humildes obras, pero asà son las cosas en esta realidad dimensional. Te agradezco el comentario y vuelvo a reiterar mis felicitaciones.
Amarillis
So elaborate and otherworldly and meaningful as always. Lovely job.
Richardphotos
I agree with Len. very poetic art
rbowen
Excellent!
bobrgallegos
Wonderful scene and strong thought provoking narrative!!
pixelmeister
Very well done!
mtalin
Spectacular image, very well done!!
kenmo
Exceptional art.... 5++
AzimuthDavid
Excellent image! Very well made!
dakotabluemoon
Wow hon this is superb work on this image very cool stuff.
Trifid
A wonderful creation and reflection, my dear. Keep your style.
Rendered2Blue
Well said and beautifully portrayed!!!
vaggabondd
that dude has the weight of the world on his back lol, nice work
rainbows
Splendid work. So beautiful. Hugs. Di. xx
moochagoo
very good writing and picture
EdKline
A very moving piece of work. And even more moving are the words that followed it. I often wonder how an alien would regard us after even a brief study. Perhaps we are only another animal lost among countless others. Does our vast construction make us stand out? No more than Bees or Termites. Even Corals have greater structures than we have. Our "awesome" atomic power? Nothing more than dumping hot rocks in water to make steam, that pushes fans on a stick wound with copper wire set between magnets. The result of this "Rube Goldberg" nonsense? To make a force we really have no understanding of. The fearful Atomic Weapons? Nothing more than banging rocks together. No wonder we have no contact with our neighbors. Ed.
netsuke
Terrific image. Is he chained to the world or the world to him? Humanity is desined to destroy itself. We will create our own extinction event.
prae
Fantastic image, wonderful concept.
DocMikeB
Very well done artwork and deep meaning! Great work!
Dotthy
this is an awesome composition my dear!!!!!!!!!!!!
Magician
One more time a mighty scene!!
Rhanagaz
Powerful image and statement! Maybe some state leaders have such dreams. But it is actually very immature thinking but as humans we are still very driven by primitive instincts making some rich and powerful and other even poorer. Big companies often hand in hand with some political leaders stripes lands for all valuable goods, a new but often not very hidden imperialism. All know what happens when the stomachs are empty and the hope is gone..revolutions! The events in North Africa and in The Middle East are just the first ones, when people sees none of these new leaders handle the deep problems in daily life? Then you have the ""strong men" arriving promissing everything but in the end only destruction. People around the world must learn to coorporate to commen benefit. The way fewer and fewer lay their hands on all property of all kinds by money, cheating, stealing, corruption and murder..The French revolution started just as everything were in very fews possesion, but when the stomachs rumble?..This is also the reason why China is so afraid of its own people - even the strongest Emperors fall when the stomachs rumbles and nothing to loose.. Yes, to government but never by one man. The good ones who talk peace and moderation often was killed...
bodo_56
Wow, that's just gorgeous, Whylma!
FaeMoon
Intriguing image and I do like the commentary. With great power comes great responsibility, and often those in power are more prisoner than ruler, this is true.