74 cm, oil on canvas
My painting is named after one of Beethoven’s most famous works, the “Ode to Joy,” the text was written by the German poet Friedrich Schiller in 1785. The piece is the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, featuring four soloists, a choir, and an orchestra. In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted Ode to Joy as the anthem of Europe. It draws attention to how important is to of practice the qualities of love, such as devotion, acceptance, tolerance, self-sacrifice, altruism, brotherhood, and presents joy as something sacred and powerful, a spark from the divine that brings people together.
This painting was inspired by that, but I wanted to approach the subject from a lighter side, so I used four different monkeys with funny faces, as they indulge in singing. They symbolize unity, despite their differences in this image.
Through this playful portrayal, I emphasize that harmony and connection can flourish when we embrace diversity with a sense of humor and acceptance. The monkeys, with their distinct appearances and shared moments of joy, serve as an endearing reminder that love and togetherness transcend our differences.