Midas Charles Bragg

The composition presents a figure immersed in a scene dominated by wealth and its consequences. The central character, seemingly a man of considerable age, is rendered with exaggerated features – large eyes magnified by spectacles, a prominent nose, and unruly hair – suggesting both eccentricity and an obsessive focus. He holds a set of scales aloft, as if weighing the value of his possessions or perhaps contemplating some cosmic balance disrupted by his own actions. His attire, a striped tunic over a green garment, hints at a merchant’s status, further reinforcing the theme of commerce and accumulation.
The environment is entirely consumed by gold. Piles of coins rise like architectural structures in the background, while a large, pink pig – its form seemingly composed of golden nuggets – occupies a prominent position near the foreground. A coffin overflows with more coinage, creating an unsettling juxtaposition of mortality and material wealth. The presence of candles casts flickering light across the scene, adding to the atmosphere of decadence and perhaps hinting at a moral darkness.
A coiled spring-like structure emerges from a chest, suggesting a potential source or release for this overwhelming abundance. A small squirrel perched atop a box seems to observe the scene with an almost mocking curiosity. The inclusion of these details introduces elements of fable and cautionary tale.
The subtexts within the painting revolve around the perils of avarice and the corrosive nature of unchecked desire. The figure’s expression is not one of joy or satisfaction, but rather appears strained and burdened by his wealth. He seems trapped within a gilded cage of his own making. The pig, traditionally a symbol of thriftiness, here becomes an emblem of grotesque excess. The coffin serves as a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of earthly possessions and the inevitability of death, even amidst vast riches. Ultimately, the work explores the idea that the pursuit of wealth can lead to isolation, anxiety, and a profound sense of emptiness.