Breath of Mortality

At the heart of this artwork, the  cosmic skies cast a red, fiery hue, reminding us of the  inevitability of divine judgment . The scripture declares,  “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time for every purpose and for every work,” and this notion is captured by the contrasting brightness and darkness in the sky. The imagery of fiery planets and a swirling horizon suggest the passing of time, the seasons of life, and the moment when all will stand before God.  

The  figures walking along the winding path are symbolic of humanity’s march towards the inevitable—death. As Solomon muses, the shared fate of humans and beasts is clear:  “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them.” The figures, walking in tandem with the celestial bodies above, remind us that no matter how great or small, wise or foolish,  all breathe the same breath and will meet the same end.  The path curves gently , representing the twists and turns of life’s journey, and the figures walking along it are bathed in warm light, representing life, but also the approach of the  final reckoning .  

The  enormous orbs in the sky , bathed in red and orange light, represent the grandeur and mystery of the universe. They hover, immovable, and eternal—unaffected by the fleeting lives of those walking below. They serve as a reminder of  eternity's unchanging nature , as opposed to the  transient nature of human life . The red and orange palette, reminiscent of dusk or dawn, emphasizes both  life’s beauty and  its fleetingness , offering a visual reflection of Solomon’s thoughts that  “man hath no preeminence above a beast” in the great cycle of life and death.  

The artwork also reflects the vanity of human effort. Solomon reflects that both the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish, will meet the same fate.  “All is vanity,” he declares, and this sentiment is echoed in the repetitive shapes and swirling colors of the composition. The grandeur of the celestial scene contrasts with the  smallness of human figures , reinforcing that no matter how grand our achievements may seem,  they pale in comparison to the vastness of the cosmos and the certainty of death .  

In this visual representation, the  orange and red tones symbolize the temporal warmth of life —our earthly endeavors, passions, and works—while the  ethereal, cosmic shapes represent the greater unknown , the eternity that awaits. The scripture teaches us to recognize the  fragility of human life , to see our existence as part of a greater whole where life and death are natural companions. While man often elevates himself above the animals, in death, both meet the same fate, as they share the same breath and experience the same finality.  

Ecclesiastes 3:17-19 serves as a reminder of  humility and reflection . These verses urge us to consider the temporary nature of life and the equality of all creatures in death. No matter our efforts, our intelligence, or our righteousness, death unites us all in its embrace. This art reflects these profound biblical truths, offering a chance to contemplate our  relationship with life and death , and reminding us that all beings under the sun are subject to the same laws of nature and God’s ultimate judgment.  

In modern life, where humanity often prides itself on innovation, technology, and power over nature, these verses challenge us to return to a state of  humble acceptance —that we are all part of a larger, divine plan, and that  death is the great equalizer . It invites us to question our pursuits, ambitions, and the legacies we leave behind, asking us whether we truly grasp the  temporary nature of our existence . This reflection ultimately inspires a sense of  purpose and peace , encouraging us to live fully in the present, mindful of the eternity that awaits.