Orpheus
2019
Bronze Edition of 25
20” x 9” x 9”

The Tragedy of Orpheus
In Greek mythology, Orpheus was the greatest musician who ever lived. Apollo had given him a 9-stringed lyre and taught him to play. It was said that when Orpheus played his lyre, the gods leaned in to listen, rivers slowed their course to hear its tune and the wild animals of the forest fell under his spell. During Jason’s quest for the golden fleece, Orpheus played his lyre to protect the Argonauts from the song of the sirens. His music overpowered theirs and legend says that they killed themselves for they had never been bested in song.
Orpheus’ tragedy began soon after he married Eurydice. She was bitten by a venomous serpent and soon went the way of mortals. In Orpheus’ despair, he did what no other mortal could: he journeyed to Hades charming every obstacle with his beautiful song. Hades himself was so moved by his song that he granted his request and released Eurydice. Yet on one condition: He must not turn back to look at her until they reached the rays of the sun.
Long and far they journeyed, and just when they made it to the mouth of hell, Orpheus looked back. Eurydice was torn from his arms and dragged back down. Hades refused Orpheus the second time, and he spent the rest of his life a hermit regretting his thoughtless actions and playing his melancholic tune. No one knows why he looked back, not even Orpheus. And so, Orpheus becomes a tragic example of how when all talent, luck and hard-work converge so well that victory seems inevitable, that we sometimes throw it all away with one simple thoughtless action.