Myosotis 

David Michael Bowers painted this artwork, Myosotis, with oil. Note the masks held by the figures, emblems of Venetian Carnival. They are potent symbols, steeped in centuries of cultural memory. These masks, beyond mere disguise, become conduits for exploring the self and society, reflecting the duality of concealment and revelation. In ancient Greek theatre, masks amplified emotions and defined characters, a tradition echoed in commedia dell'arte, where masks embody archetypes of human nature. The Venetian Carnival adopted this tradition, transforming the city into a stage where social hierarchies blurred behind enigmatic visages. Even today, we see masks in various cultural rituals, from tribal ceremonies to modern-day protests, each carrying its own weight of historical and psychological significance. The mask is not merely a cover but a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Like all great symbols, the mask's journey is not linear, but cyclical, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings, ever shaped by the currents of human experience.