Bartered Peter Clarke

The composition presents a striking and unsettling scene dominated by a large, imposing figure. Here we observe a creature with distinctly demonic features: horns protrude from its head, its face is contorted in a grimace, and the skin appears rough and textured, suggesting an inhuman nature. The lower portion of the body reveals equine legs, further emphasizing this hybridity. This being holds two young women aloft in his arms; their expressions range from apprehension to what might be interpreted as resignation. They are clad in flowing white garments that contrast sharply with the creature’s earthy tones and muscular physique. A small bouquet of yellow flowers is clutched within its grasp, a detail which introduces an element of unexpected tenderness amidst the overall sense of menace.
In the lower left corner, a smaller figure, presumably male, stands observing the scene. He is dressed in simple, rustic clothing and appears to be gesturing towards the central action with a look of sorrow or regret on his face. The ground beneath them is covered in tall grass, suggesting an open field or meadow. A stormy sky looms overhead, contributing to the atmosphere of foreboding.
The painting’s subtexts are complex and layered. The exchange depicted appears to be one of sacrifice or trade; the creature seems to have taken something valuable – the young women – in return for something unseen, perhaps represented by the flowers or implied through the sorrowful gesture of the man in the foreground. This could allude to themes of loss, temptation, and the consequences of deals made with forces beyond human comprehension. The contrast between the purity symbolized by the white garments of the women and the monstrous nature of the creature highlights a conflict between innocence and corruption.
The artist’s use of scale is significant; the overwhelming size of the demonic figure underscores its power and dominance, while the diminutive stature of the man emphasizes his helplessness in the face of this supernatural transaction. The overall effect is one of unsettling ambiguity – the viewer is left to ponder the nature of the bargain struck and the fate that awaits those involved.