The Sumerian goddess Inanna in a modern style on canvas

Inanna is the Sumerian goddess of love, fertility and war and therefore also stands for duality and opposites: Beauty on the one hand and strength and power on the other. These two sides are of course also represented by the lion, which is the power animal at her side.

The picture is part of my series Mythologyin which I paint figures from ancient legends and myths in a modern setting. I do this deliberately because I want to remind you that there are superpowers in all of us and that the heroes, gods etc. are only a symbol of this. The old legends still live on - even in you! But we can interpret them in a modern way.

I have achieved the timeless or modern elements in this picture through the crown, which is only indicated by the golden lines. It is meant to be a symbolic crown and remind you that you don't need a material crown, but that you can feel strong and "royal" inside - no matter what your life circumstances are at the moment. The message of the image for our time is that you too can have many different aspects and facets within you, all of which need to be lived and integrated. Inanna herself had to go through many challenges and was always courageous and brave. The picture should therefore also remind you that challenges and "trials" in your life can only make you stronger.

This painting is done in many layers with acrylics and oils.

You can see the development process here: