Art: An Isle of the Artists' Dead

I can’t claim that all artworks throughout history, even those being created right now, carry the power to mark the imagination or the emotional strength to truly engage the gaze of the public. But Böcklin’s Isle of the Dead III (1883), at least for this eye, remains a vision of astonishing force and profound impact on my own artistic creation. It has been not only an enduring source of inspiration but also a living reference, once you’ve walked through the valley of death and returned from it, unfortunately, as I must admit.

Isle of the dead III - Die Toteninsel III, (1883). Arnold Böcklin. Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin

Of course, I’m far from the first to be seized by such a marvel. A long procession of both notorious and celebrated figures have been fascinated by Böcklin’s vision, and still today tributes to this painting appear across many forms of art.

All this, my foolish little dissertation, if you like, is just to say: not all artists and their works are destined to be recognized in their lifetime. Undoubtedly, and often unfairly. Here, in this God-forgotten country called Mexico, we have a saying: “Honors in life" [not after].

Art: An Isle of the Artists' Dead