Rapunzel 21 PaulOZelinsky sqs Paul O Zelinsky (1953-)

The composition presents a dramatic moment seemingly drawn from a narrative scene. A young man is depicted in mid-air, propelled upwards by a cascade of long, golden hair. His body is angled sharply, suggesting both momentum and distress; his arms are outstretched as if reaching for something or bracing against an unexpected force. He wears a tunic of pale green, accented with gold bracelets on his wrists.
Beside him stands an older woman, her face etched with a complex expression that blends anger, frustration, and perhaps a touch of regret. She is positioned within the architectural confines of a tower, its structure defined by vertical black-and-white stripes which create a stark contrast to the organic flow of the hair. Her attire consists of a red robe draped over a simple undergarment. The gesture of her hand, reaching out towards the ascending figure, conveys an attempt at restraint or perhaps a desperate plea.
The background is dominated by a vibrant sky filled with swirling clouds and patches of blue. A distant mountain range provides a sense of depth and scale to the scene. The lighting appears to be diffused, casting soft shadows that emphasize the figures’ forms while maintaining a dreamlike quality.
Subtly, the work explores themes of entrapment and liberation. The tower serves as a visual metaphor for confinement, while the hair acts as an unconventional means of escape. The womans presence introduces elements of maternal control or perhaps a more complex relationship – a guardian attempting to prevent a departure that she herself may have facilitated. The young man’s posture suggests vulnerability and uncertainty in his newfound freedom. The overall effect is one of heightened emotion, poised between despair and hope, suggesting a pivotal moment within a larger narrative arc.