Le génie du mal
By Rob • Sep 29th, 2010 • Category: ModBlogLe génie du mal is the name of a statue by Belgian artist Guillaume Geefs. The literal translation is “The Genius of Evil”, but the statue is most commonly referred to as “Lucifer”. The state itself is known as one of the more famous artistic renditions of Lucifer, as it includes a number of images that support the Morning Star version of the myth. Looking at it you can see how the wings are bat-like, he’s holding a broken crown and sceptre, and at his chained feet is an apple with a bite taken out of it.
The initial theme of the piece was “The Triumph of Religion over the Genius of Evil”. Geefs’ younger brother originally crafted a statue but when it was unveiled the church felt that his interpretation of Lucifer was glorifying the fallen angel, and Guillaume was brought in to create a new version. So while the second statue abides by what the church wanted, it also contains a number of subtle “screw yous” in it as criticism for how his brother’s art was treated.
Over the years many different groups have attributed their own interpretations onto the work, as is the case with most works of art. Due to it’s prominence as a piece of religious iconography, it’s no wonder that someone has gotten a tattoo in the image of the statue.
As you can see by the watermark, the tattoo was done by Nick Bertioli, from Timeless Tattoo in Los Angeles.
This particular tattoo isn’t the only religious piece that Nick has done. Over in the religious and mythological tattoo galleries you can see some more of his work. You can also see this image in the fairies and angels tattoo gallery as well.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts not only on the tattoo, but also on the subject matter as well. Does this image evoke the feeling that religion has triumphed over the genius of evil? Or do you think that the chains and the posture are representing a type of oppression towards the arts? Or something else entirely?
Rob is the news guy for Modblog. He's also Canadian. And has a beard.
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It glorifies him still. IF god was real(lol) and everything to do with Judeo-christianity wasn’t a lie meant to gain power and money by the church, then Lucifer would be the free thinking general of the rebellion.
Fact that none of it is real at all, just makes Lucifer a fun way of opposing and creeping out the religious nuts.
You wanna turn the thousands and thousands of year old pagan traditions into “devil worshippers” because they wouldn’t convert? Fine. Then hail fucking Satan. As long as I’m not a pathetic sheep of a christian.
incredibly beautiful О_О