This artwork draws inspiration from the timeless tale of Icarus and his father Dedalus in ancient Greek mythology. In an endeavor for the two of them to escape Knossos, Daedalus crafted two pairs of wings out of beeswax and feathers. Before trying to escape the island, he warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, nor too close to the sea, but to follow his designated path of flight. Overcome by giddiness while flying, Icarus defies his father, coming too close to the sun and causing the beeswax of his wings to melt by the heat.
The composition captures Icarus’ fleeting moments of freedom before his tragic fall. The warmth of the yellow sky and the mesmerising brightness of the white sun evoke an irresistibly inviting aura. Through this portrayal, viewers can grasp the overwhelming sense of liberation Icarus must have experienced as he soared through the sky. The contemplative scene depicted, juxtaposes the serene atmposphere with the impending tragedy that follows. the irresistible allure Icarus experienced in his boundless flight.