King Midas Omar Rayyan

The composition presents a scene steeped in classical allusion and laden with symbolic weight. Here we observe a regal figure seated upon an elevated platform, seemingly within a palatial setting. He is aged, his beard long and flowing, and he appears to be gesturing towards a creature approaching him from the left. This creature, possessing the body of a horse and the head of a bear, stands poised on its forelegs, as if in supplication or desperate appeal.
The platform itself is richly decorated with animal pelts – leopard and fox are clearly visible – suggesting wealth and dominion over nature. Behind the seated figure rises an architectural structure reminiscent of classical Greek temples, complete with columns and sculpted reliefs depicting scenes of warfare. A large, idealized female head, likely representing a goddess or personification of divine grace, looms above him, her expression ambiguous – a mixture of pity and perhaps censure.
To the left of the central figures, a group of individuals are depicted in varying states of distress. One figure is shown weeping, while others appear to be attempting to restrain a young child who reaches out towards the approaching hybrid beast. The background reveals a coastal landscape with ships at sea, hinting at trade and connection to the wider world. A scattering of roses adorns the lower portion of the scene, their presence offering a poignant contrast to the surrounding drama.
The subtexts within this painting are complex and layered. The central narrative seems to revolve around the consequences of unchecked desire. The hybrid creature likely embodies something desired by the king – perhaps wealth, power, or even love – but its monstrous form suggests that such desires, when pursued without restraint, can lead to ruinous outcomes. The weeping figures underscore the suffering caused by his actions, while the goddess-like figure above seems to represent a moral judgment.
The roses, symbols of beauty and fleeting pleasure, are rendered with particular attention, emphasizing their fragility in the face of the unfolding tragedy. The overall effect is one of cautionary allegory – a visual exploration of the perils of greed and the importance of moderation. The artist has skillfully employed classical motifs and symbolic imagery to convey a timeless message about human nature and its vulnerabilities.