The art of knowing yourself
© Ivan Cangelosi, 2015
50X50 cm
Ink on paper
Technique – Handwriting of the whole book of Arthur Schopenhauer– Original language
Category– Philosophy
Private collection
Technique – Handwriting of the whole book ‘The art of knowing yourself’ by Arthur Schopenhauer (German language)
Description of the painting – This work shows a very sturdy tree with wide branches and very deep and extended roots – almost wide as the branches above. The tree represents “ourselves”. The roots represent the inner part of us while the outside part of the tree, represents the outer side of ourselves. The message of this work is essentially the following: the more we deeply know ourselves (extent and depth of the roots) the more the wellness and solidity achieved appear on the external part of us (trunk and branches very large). Tonalities are deliberately dark/grey. It is evening / night and, above all, one is alone! Being alone, silent and apart is here intended as essential condition in order to have time to think, to question, to talk to ourselves and, therefore, to know ourselves.
This painting must necessarily be looked at and considered together with the work entitled “The art of being happy”.