IS2 040 Don Daily 01 Don Daily

The composition presents a whimsical and surreal scene dominated by a colossal fish. A woman, dressed in attire suggestive of late nineteenth or early twentieth-century Western fashion – a wide-brimmed hat, high-necked blouse, and belted skirt – is seated atop the creature, wielding what appears to be a parasol as if it were reins. Her expression is one of amused confidence, seemingly unfazed by her unusual mount.
The fish itself occupies a significant portion of the canvas, its scale exaggerated to an almost comical degree. Its coloration is earthy – browns and ochres – with subtle highlights that suggest a damp surface. The artist has rendered the eye with particular attention, imbuing it with a sense of gentle intelligence or perhaps bemused tolerance towards its rider.
Surrounding the fish and woman are various aquatic elements: several smaller fish swim in the foreground, while vibrant green frogs leap amidst stylized water ripples. Dragonflies, depicted with delicate wings and detailed bodies, flit about, adding to the fantastical atmosphere. In the background, a landscape unfolds – a suggestion of arid terrain punctuated by rocky formations – and a lone cowboy on horseback observes the scene from a distance. He appears diminutive in comparison to the central figures, reinforcing the sense of unreality and emphasizing the dominance of the fish-woman pairing.
The painting’s subtexts are layered. The juxtaposition of the womans formal attire with the absurdity of riding a giant fish suggests a playful commentary on societal norms or expectations. The cowboy figure, relegated to the background, could represent conventional masculinity rendered powerless in the face of this unconventional scene. There is an element of satire present; the artist seems to be gently mocking established hierarchies and power structures through the use of exaggerated scale and improbable scenarios.
The color palette – primarily earth tones punctuated by flashes of green and blue – contributes to a dreamlike quality, further distancing the image from reality. The overall effect is one of lighthearted absurdity, inviting viewers to embrace the illogical and question conventional perspectives.