“20th-century philosopher Iris Murdoch thought our inner lives are too often clogged by the “fat, relentless ego”. By contemplating beauty in nature and art, however, we can deflate the brooding, grasping self (a process Murdoch describes as “unselfing”) and open our eyes to reality.”

@11tulips.bsky.social Perhaps, Munch’s iconic painting, “ The Scream “ best describes our dilemma:

“Seneca argues that chasing things like wealth or fame will result in a life that feels perpetually unfinished: “if, no matter how far you travel, there always seems to be some further place you need to reach, that is a sure sign that the desire is contrary to nature...” Peter Paul Rubens, c.1614.

“Magritte created 17 versions of the L’empire des lumières in oil, Each depicts the same scene:A house lit up from inside, surrounded by black silhouettes of trees,set against a bright blue daylit sky” Magritte,the master of dark/ light juxtaposition @ellenenders.bsky.social @11tulips.bsky.social