The Seven Deadly Sins

An Artistic ExplorationTaryn Strawser

Aristide Maillol: Desire (Sculpture 1906-1908)

Love? No!• Definitely not a quick

glance• Ecstasy apparent • Sin about to be

committed• Instant gratification• Regret? None!• Enough with the promise

of love, this is lust.

Jean-Honore Fragonard: The Swing (Oil on Canvas 1766)

Shady AfternoonDarling let me seeWhat the secrets you keep below might beHe whispered this none too softlyHis actions read as loftyAn innocent dayTurned lustful way by way

Margaret Bourke-White: Barrack #56 in the Small Camp (Photography 1945)

I am I am the emaciated body you seeI am the bag of bones bound in skinI am sleeping on a slab, a pot for my pillowI am blistered from shoveling all dayI am watching my friends die one by oneI am the only family member left aliveI am losing hopeI am wondering what’s nextI am waiting for diseaseI am waiting for deathI am waiting for the Jews to be set freeI am waiting on a change of heartI am waiting on the wrath to stopI am going to be waiting forever

Jacques-Lois David: The Death of Marat (Oil Painting 1793)

MARAT

Here lies departed brother MaratThought he was safeWell I guess notThe young blood did spillNothing left but to read the will

Duane Hanson: Woman Eating (Polyester, Fiberglass, Resin 1971)

A Day at the DinerCheeseburgers, fries, and ice cream, oh my!So much food- a glutton like me could cry.People are concerned about my weightAnd tell me I will never have a date.They don’t realize their words, like a knife, cutStraight to my heart and make me stuff my gut.The talents I have are pushed aside,Instead, behind three meals I’ll hide.Bullies you make fun of me?Thanks, for fueling my g-l-u-t-t-o-n-y.

Honore Daumier: The Imaginary Malady (Painting 1879)

Hauki? I Have the FluOh! I see the light

Cancer, Rubella, MeaslesDo you believe me?

Dorothea Lange: “Migrant Mother” (Photograph 1936)

June 27, 1936

Dear Diary,

Well, today was another rough day. But what day isn’t during this depression? Used to be I would just relax and take care of my kids. Could put meat on the table. Every day. But

nowadays? Nowadays, I’m lucky to fix it once a month. Unless Joe manages to kill something wild. I can’t help but wondering

what if? What if my twins Ronnie Lee and Rosie Lou didn’t come to me crying because there’s dust in their eyes, and

nothing but dust in their bellies? What if my baby Lola had a brighter future than turning into a street beggar? What if I didn’t have to be worried to tell Joe about the new baby,

about the fourth hungry little mouth we will have to feed? I envy those mothers who get to feed their kids steak, who get to dress their kids in clothes the don’t have holes and get to

enjoy a baby on the way. The green-eyed monster is about to get me. I know it is not the Lord’s way and for that I am

ashamed. But this life makes me weary. So today when a lady stopped by to take a picture of me and my three babies, I let

her. Let her show the world how weary I am. Maybe someone I envy will take notice. Brother, could you spare a dime?

Tomorrow may be a better day.That’s all for now,

Nellie Sue

Caravaggio: The Cardsharps (Oil on Canvas 1594)

A Tanka About GreedPeeking and CheatingDollars, dimes and pennies In life’s cruel game Loosing is not an optionGreed is an evil player

Peter Paul Rubens: Venus at the Mirror (Oil Painting 1615)

Pride

PrideDestructive, Selfish

Checking my reflectionOh I am beautiful

Conceit

Pablo Picasso: Girl Before a Mirror (Oil on Canvas 1932)

• Pretty self• Relishing at my

appearance • In love with the mirror• Decided to love self

more than God• Eternity away from Him

Sir Christopher Wren: St. Paul’s Cathedral (Architecture/Stone 1675)

The Cathedral’s CallCome one, come allTo the alter callThe confessional is always openOr at least that is what the congregation is hopin’I am the Cathedral standing tallConfess one sin, confess them allOr else forever feel earth’s fall.

Michelangelo: The Last Judgment (Panel Painting1534-1541)

Have the Seven? Won’t Go to Heaven!Come up, come awayIt’s Resurrection dayThe Lord’s trumpet is a-blaring Every angel is wearingPure whiteEnter into Heaven’s delightWait do you not know Jesus?No, don’t plea it’s too late now to please usWhich of the seven sins made you fall?Numbers 5, 6, or maybe just all?Was it lust for another?Or wrath for your brother?Was gluttony your friend?Only to abandon you at the endDid envy call the monster greenTo come out, to be known, be seen?Or was it greedThat made you take heed?Did sloth make you lazy?Turned all of your thoughts crazy?Or did you fall to the worst- prideNow causing you not to take a rideUp to the pearly gateRemember this is just a poem so waitThink before you sinChoose Him and you will win!