Swim Pool 

Painted by John Bratby, this work depicts a swimming pool bordered by domestic architecture. Note the interplay between the mundane and the symbolic, where water, historically a symbol of purification and renewal, is contained within the man-made structure of the pool. This contrast evokes a complex relationship between nature and civilization, reflecting a broader cultural tension. The symbol of water is not confined to ritual cleansing; it echoes in art throughout the ages, in baptismal fonts or mythological rivers, representing life, death, and rebirth. The containment of water in the pool can be seen as an attempt to control the elemental forces, much like our psychological attempts to manage primal instincts and emotions. The turbulent brushstrokes of the water’s surface convey a sense of underlying unrest, engaging our subconscious and stirring deep-seated associations with the fluidity of our own emotional states. Thus, the image resonates far beyond its simple representation, touching upon a collective understanding of water as a potent, multifaceted symbol.