La Jolla Cove 

Rose O'Neill captures La Jolla Cove in a painting of unknown date with vivid blues and yellows. The cliffs meet the ocean, a tableau of nature's raw beauty, yet it's the staircase descending to the beach that arrests our attention. Staircases possess a powerful symbolic resonance across cultures and epochs. From ancient ziggurats to the Tower of Babel, they embody mankind's timeless ambition to transcend the earthly realm. They evoke the human quest for enlightenment and connection with higher powers. O'Neill's staircase, though humble, echoes this profound symbolism, inviting contemplation on the cyclical journey of descent and ascent. The image suggests a connection between the conscious and subconscious, where the viewer is led down a path of introspection. It speaks to the complex relationship between the known and the unknown, drawing upon the collective human longing for exploration, spirituality, and self-discovery.