Daniel San Souci – The Six Swans 15, De Daniel San Souci

The composition presents a scene of improbable flight and familial connection. Here we observe two figures suspended within woven baskets, lifted skyward by six large swans. The birds dominate the upper portion of the frame, their expansive wings filling much of the space against a backdrop of a vibrant blue sky punctuated with scattered clouds. Their plumage is rendered in stark white, contrasting sharply with the red ribbons tied to their legs, which appear to be securing the baskets.
The figures within the baskets are small and childlike, seemingly unconcerned by their precarious position. One gazes directly outward, his expression difficult to discern but suggesting a mixture of wonder and perhaps apprehension. The other figure is turned away, looking down towards the landscape below, appearing lost in thought or observation. Their clothing consists of simple garments – a tunic for one and a long-sleeved shirt for the other – indicating a humble background.
Below, a distant vista unfolds: a body of water reflecting the sky’s hues, bordered by a line of dark green foliage. This landscape establishes a sense of scale, emphasizing the height at which the figures are suspended. The horizon is low, allowing the focus to remain on the aerial scene and the relationship between the children and the swans.
The subtexts within this image revolve around themes of rescue, transformation, and familial devotion. The swans’ act of carrying the children suggests a protective role, possibly representing deliverance from danger or hardship. Their size and power imply an almost mythical quality, hinting at forces beyond human control. The red ribbons binding them to the baskets could symbolize constraint or obligation, but also connection and dependence.
The childrens passive acceptance of this extraordinary situation speaks to trust and faith – a willingness to surrender to a higher power or benevolent force. Their individual postures suggest differing emotional responses to their circumstances: one actively engaging with the world, the other retreating into introspection. The overall impression is one of enchantment and hope, tinged with an underlying sense of vulnerability and the unknown.