Atlas, a guy who held up the celestial sphere
People are hearing about him more and more
Today’s header is a mash of a few different things. Let’s break it down…
First off, we have John McNaughton’s latest fine art masterpiece (for some value of “fine” and “art” and “masterpiece”) of his favorite subject Donald Trump, entitled “Trump Shrugged.” As opposed his established pattern of shrugging off concerns of the plight of women or LGBTQ+ individuals or Americans dying of COVID or the safe harbor for the disposed and endangered looking for asylum or the very future of free and democratic elections, here Trump is engaging in shrugging that is based on mythology. As McNaughton blarps:
At times, we all feel the weight of the world on our shoulders. Few understand this as deeply as President Donald J. Trump.
This painting draws inspiration from two sources. First, the Greek myth of Atlas, who was condemned by Zeus to bear the heavens on his shoulders for eternity, symbolizing endurance.
Second, it reflects my interpretation of Ayn Rand’s novel “Atlas Shrugged,” where industry leaders choose to abandon their companies, “shrugging off” the burdens of government intrusion and its societal consequences.
If anyone might consider abandoning their position due to relentless attacks against themselves and their family, it would be Trump. Despite facing intense persecution, he continues to bear the weight of his place in history, striving to restore America’s greatness at all costs.
I mean… it’s a lot. Even outside of the patently ridiculously mockable premise heavy on the pathetic victimization, the illustrative fable is all wrong. Atlas held up the cosmos, not the globe. Which I guess from the description McNaughton understands, so… artistic license? And then there’s the background imagery of an Earth-like setting with the mountains and sunset (or is that sunrise?) So, two Earths? Just as in the story McNaughton tries to sell us, there is a not as much weight or importance in what Trump is carrying if one looks beyond at the bigger picture.
As for my artistic licensed enhancements, I trust you will understand where I was going with the monetary shake-down and the flag re-colorization.
Prima Ballerina Hyacinth Hippo is taken from Disney’s 1940 animated movie “Fantasia,” from the scene set to the finale for Amilcare Poncheielli’s ‘Dance of the Hours.’ It’s one of the best animation sequences ever created and I’ve included it below for your viewing enjoyment.
McNaughton Fine Art Company: Trump Shrugged
I love Hyacinth Hippo!!
Don't blame McNaughton for thinking Atlas held the world instead of the heavens. That was Rand's claim in the book, She had a tendency to admire the ancient myths but twist them around. She insisted the big businessmen were the drivers of civilization and if they ever got fed up and walked everything would crash and we'd be sorrrrrry.