Voidnyx

Wonderfully Wonderful Wonder

Greetings, dear reader. I've found in my hours of Tumblr scrolling a stunning piece of homage to an old classic, made with careful decisions. The Swing (Fragonard) is a masterpiece from the Rococo art era, a time that emphasised light-heartedness. It's a delightful artwork to appreciate. The original oil painting depicts a glamorous woman on a swing, surrounded by her lover and a layman, but the COTL version has key differences, which make it unique.

I will not analyse the original oil painting by Fragonard, but I will compare the COTL version and give my honest opinion. For example! What has Voidheartkisses added to the COTL version to make it stand on its own, and what has been removed? Every artwork is unique. These are crucial questions to ask because, as a practice of comprehending artistic intent, finding meaning in the small details is paramount.

Let's start with the main event! The lamb is a star, holding the centre of attention. And! I love the attention to detail as the Lamb is holding an identical handhold, smile, and posture like the woman in the original artwork. However, the giant collar bell is a perfect add-on as it adds to the Rococo orientations, something playfully new. Although I'm a bit ashamed that the flimsy high heels are gone in the COTL version, I do think it fits the Lamb better to be barefoot, but some of the playfulness is lost in that decision.

And darlings, I'm not done with the criticism, but what's the deal with Narinder? Wouldn't it have been more dramatic if Narinder lay against the ground, at the mercy of the Lamb, and reflecting the nature of their relationship after the good ending of COTL? I feel like Narinder is a supporting character in the background, which the Goat literally is in the game if you have a duo, aiding the Lamb to reach new heights! Lastly, Narinder should be more in the shade; the brown rope against the white rope is so distracting, in my opinion. Gosh! Aren't I just awful?

Still, I have to praise the art, but I appreciate how most of the eyes are on the Lamb, just as the crowns, the Goat, and Narinder's third eye. It adds a level of weight. The contrast between Narinder's third eye and the rest of the face is excellent, as it seems like Narinder is playing tough, not looking at the main event, but darling, who can ignore a catch like that? In the original oil painting, everyone looks at the woman, just like in the COTL version, with a key difference from Narinder.

Yes, The Swing (Cult of the Lamb version) is a stunning artwork that, for the most part, is a pleasure because of what has been added to the original work to make a COTL version. Yeah, I have my nitpicks, primarily with the roles of the Goat and Narinder. But it's The Swing! How can I diss on any version of it? I would love another classic artwork turned into a COTL version for the fourth anniversary. But I hope you have enjoyed reading this, and remember to check my other writing on Tumblr and AO3!

Source to art:

There's something so intriguing about every rendition of the goat, there's nothing to them, no story, no personality beyond loud and a menace, only a "dark reflection" that's clearly hiding something darker, and I love what people's take on them are 💜

Anyways, go, my favorite goats!

Goats belong to: @heuheu-art , @souriki , @cult-of-the-iron-crown , @paintingpuff , @voidheartkisses , @llobulynxthecerval , @a-tomsk , me , @aveloka-draws , @7-ferrets-in-a-coat , @stychu-stych , @voidyam , @bogor-o and of course the canon goat