Finally, the episode on art interpretation, the evil eye, envy, and truck-nuts that you’ve been waiting for! In this episode, we continue our meditation on the table top painting by Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450-1516) called The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things. Our focus today is invidia—no, that’s not a pharmeceutical company—but it is envy.

“Two dogs over one bone seldom agree,” goes the old Flemish proverb. The scene of envy that Bosch paints has some folks standing around a vending booth, giving each other a noticeable side-eye; there are even two dogs doing the same, and, yes, there are some bones involved. Invidia is also personified as an evil witch by Ovid, which you can see here:

At the end of the episode, we share a beautiful poem by Christina Ward called Invidia (included here). As usual, take a look at the chapter headings below to see the ground we cover.

Invidia by Christina M. Ward seven deadly sins you, one of them and I, have lived holding your hand. Sinewy-foul skin wrapped taut, eyes that impaled me green. tiny red-head baby gets to wear yellow and I, wrapped in pink can’t comb my hair kids at school wear Jordache and new Keds and I, wear last year’s socks my brother’s jeans sweet sixteenth cars and graduation checks, plans for the future like shiny pearls but I, pregnant, plan a wedding brick homes, wooden doors Christmas wreaths, lights shiny cars, paved driveways and I, travel by them watching the gas light glowing green on the dash, anxiety grinding like hunger Invidia — let me go. young boys eventually become young men and I, their mother — age. I do not look around anymore for what they have that we do not. The wanting is exhausting, merely plodding against the wind Invidia cast your horrid gaze upon these empty seas… I’ll simply stay afloat and set sail, the sun waits the same for me I hang a wreath of hope on this mobile-home, painted metal door — humble, bent. Home, just the same. Out with you! Invidia — Nemesis — wretched evil eye — you are not welcome here. I’ll hang my wreath in peace, if you please. I’ll not hang my head. I’ll not avert my eyes — in shame. I will lift on broken wing.

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Past Conversations 03:34 Exploring Bosch’s Seven Deadly Sins 06:18 Navigating Initial Discomfort in Art Appreciation 09:14 The Role of Personal Interpretation in Art 12:28 Finding Meaning Beyond the Artist’s Intent 15:18 The Concept of ‘Easter Moments’ in Art 18:25 The Journey of Understanding Art 21:33 Engaging with Envy in Bosch’s Work 33:23 Exploring Envy and the Evil Eye 40:33 The Power of Blessing Over Envy 50:38 The Deadly Nature of Envy 54:44 The Visual Representation of Envy 57:05 Artistic Observations and Symbolism 58:13 The Nature of Envy in Biblical Context 01:00:45 Envy and Its Consequences 01:04:42 The Spiritual Implications of Envy 01:07:47 Toxic Emotions and Their Impact 01:10:49 The Role of Envy in Human Experience 01:12:44 Finding Freedom Amidst Envy 01:15:51 Reflections on Envy and Hope

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