This day in Mesopotamia when all Gods will die from sipping poisoned wine

This day in Mesopotamia when all Gods will die from sipping poisoned wine

Ian Larson

2007

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting is a chaotic mix of black, white, and gray shapes. There’s a central figure lying down, surrounded by rough sketches of people and objects. Some look like mourners, others like floating heads or broken bodies. Crosses and words like *"Gods"* and *"die"* are scattered across the top, as if scribbled in haste. The whole scene feels like a storm of ideas—some clear, some blurred. The artist layered sketches on top of each other, almost like a messy notebook. The figures overlap, and the lines are uneven, giving it a raw, unfinished feel. It’s like catching a moment of panic or a frantic thought. If this style intrigues you, look up chiaroscuro next—it’s about strong light and shadow contrasts, but this piece takes it even further.

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