Finally, the episode on art interpretation, the evil eye, envy, and truck-nuts that you’ve been waiting for! In this episode, we continue our meditation on the table top painting by Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450-1516) called The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things. Our focus today is invidia—no, that’s not a pharmeceutical company—but it is envy.
“Two dogs over one bone seldom agree,” goes the old Flemish proverb. The scene of envy that Bosch paints has some folks standing around a vending booth, giving each other a noticeable side-eye; there are even two dogs doing the same, and, yes, there are some bones involved. Invidia is also personified as an evil witch by Ovid, which you can see here:
At the end of the episode, we share a beautiful poem by Christina Ward called Invidia (included here). As usual, take a look at the chapter headings below to see the ground we cover.
Invidia
by Christina M. Ward
seven deadly sins
you, one of them
and I, have lived holding
your hand. Sinewy-foul
skin wrapped taut,
eyes that impaled
me green.
tiny red-head baby
gets to wear yellow
and I, wrapped in pink
can’t comb my hair
kids at school wear
Jordache and new Keds
and I, wear last year’s socks
my brother’s jeans
sweet sixteenth cars and
graduation checks, plans
for the future like shiny pearls
but I, pregnant, plan a wedding
brick homes, wooden doors
Christmas wreaths, lights
shiny cars, paved driveways
and I, travel by them
watching the gas light
glowing green on the dash,
anxiety grinding like hunger
Invidia — let me go.
young boys eventually become young men
and I, their mother — age.
I do not look around anymore
for what they have that we do not.
The wanting is exhausting, merely
plodding against the wind
Invidia cast your horrid gaze
upon these empty seas…
I’ll simply stay afloat
and set sail, the sun
waits the same for me
I hang a wreath of hope
on this mobile-home,
painted metal door — humble, bent.
Home, just the same.
Out with you! Invidia — Nemesis
— wretched evil eye —
you are not welcome here.
I’ll hang my wreath in peace, if you please.
I’ll not hang my head.
I’ll not avert my eyes — in shame.
I will lift on broken wing.
Chapters
00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Past Conversations
03:34 Exploring Bosch’s Seven Deadly Sins
06:18 Navigating Initial Discomfort in Art Appreciation
09:14 The Role of Personal Interpretation in Art
12:28 Finding Meaning Beyond the Artist’s Intent
15:18 The Concept of ‘Easter Moments’ in Art
18:25 The Journey of Understanding Art
21:33 Engaging with Envy in Bosch’s Work
33:23 Exploring Envy and the Evil Eye
40:33 The Power of Blessing Over Envy
50:38 The Deadly Nature of Envy
54:44 The Visual Representation of Envy
57:05 Artistic Observations and Symbolism
58:13 The Nature of Envy in Biblical Context
01:00:45 Envy and Its Consequences
01:04:42 The Spiritual Implications of Envy
01:07:47 Toxic Emotions and Their Impact
01:10:49 The Role of Envy in Human Experience
01:12:44 Finding Freedom Amidst Envy
01:15:51 Reflections on Envy and Hope
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