SCREAMINGTOWARDHEAVEN lrg Walter Girotto

The composition presents a figure positioned centrally within a complex and layered scene. The individual, depicted from behind, is muscular and appears to be in a state of distress or supplication. Their arms are raised towards the upper portion of the frame, hands clenched as if grasping for something beyond reach. A crescent moon hangs faintly above, adding a celestial element to the overall atmosphere.
The figures attire consists of minimal garments – a loincloth and armbands – suggesting vulnerability and exposure. The body is rendered with meticulous attention to anatomical detail, emphasizing strength yet conveying an underlying sense of torment.
A significant portion of the foreground is dominated by a chaotic arrangement of dice, scattered across what appears to be a low platform or base. These objects seem to engulf the figure’s lower half, symbolizing perhaps a feeling of being overwhelmed or trapped by chance and circumstance. A single red rose lies amongst the dice, introducing an element of beauty and potential loss within this turbulent setting.
Behind the central figure, a highly ornate architectural structure rises, featuring sculpted figures with ram-like heads – a motif that introduces a sense of mythology or ancient ritual. The background is rendered in deep blues and blacks, creating a dramatic contrast against the lighter tones of the figure and dice. This darkness contributes to an overall feeling of confinement and psychological pressure.
The subtexts within this work seem to explore themes of struggle, fate, and the burden of responsibility. The raised arms suggest a desperate plea or yearning for deliverance, while the surrounding elements – the dice, the ram-headed figures, the moon – imply forces beyond individual control. The rose hints at something precious that has been lost or is in danger of being lost. Overall, the painting conveys a powerful sense of internal conflict and existential angst.