Whitewall Galleries

Eupo and the Emereld Taurus The moon streams across the luxurious sheets highlighting the peaceful sleep of a contented figure. This is Taurus, sensual and strong, secure in his comfort. This pleasure seeking sign lies on a bed of sumptuous fabric that demands to be stroked and enjoyed for its opulence. Taurus is governed by the planet Venus, the goddess of love. As the second brightest object in the night sky, Venus adds her brilliance to the moon’s rays casting myriad shadows over the furrowed sheet. Venus’s presence is also felt in the enigmatic space next to the sleeping figure. The question of whether this bed has been recently shared is left unanswered, but the sense of the female presence, of desire and physical pleasure, resonate throughout the painting. Despite his relaxed state, the figure is undeniably strong and powerful. He possesses the bed, the Taurus phrase of ‘I have’ easily understood by the gesture of his outstretched arm. His sleeping form has the alertness of a bullfighter, still, but ready to rise up at the merest hint of danger. The daring red of the cloth draped over his arms an unmistakable symbol of the toreador. The rose symbolises love and beauty; both characteristics that a Taurean wears openly like his heart on his sleeve. The roses also set out the Taurus constellation as if delivering human love to eternity. Spreading across the heart of the bed is a shadow of a tree, which grounds the figure in his element of earth. With this simple graphic image much of the sign of Taurus is communicated - a love of nature, strong fixed almost stubborn will and secure personality. Around the figure’s wrist is a bracelet crafted from the Taurean metal, copper, while the emerald birthstone nurtured in the bedclothes has six sides representing the number of love.