Atlas (2007) is inspired by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri’s 1646 painting.

Barbieri’s Atlas portrays the ancient Greek myth of Atlas, the Titan condemned by Zeus to bear the weight of the heavens upon his shoulders. In the painting, Atlas is depicted as a towering, powerful figure, effortlessly supporting the celestial spheres, a representation of both his immense strength and the burden of his eternal punishment. The image captures the solemnity of the Titan’s task, evoking a sense of quiet endurance and determination.

The myth of Atlas, a theme that has permeated art and literature for centuries, symbolizes the struggle between human endurance and divine imposition. Barbieri’s interpretation focuses on Atlas not just as a figure of strength, but as a symbol of unwavering perseverance in the face of impossible odds. The painting speaks to the burden of responsibility and the weight of cosmic fate.

Atlas by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri is housed in the Stefano Bardini Museum in Florence, Italy.