Magical Messi’s canvas of symbols
Staff Reporter
Inspired by the hidden meaning and secret symbols of renaissance art, A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words, is an exploration into the mind of the greatest footballer ever – Lionel Messi.
Renaissance art is historically the bridge between the past, present and future. This image demonstrates how Messi understands his career and contemplates what’s still to come. It lets him share his opinions, dreams and perspectives, on his terms. The deeper you delve into it, the more intriguing it becomes. Below, we outline some of the secrets found in the piece, hidden to the uninitiated. The Painting
The painting on the wall is Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio. It speaks to the sceptics and doubters. Those who believe Messi can’t be from planet Earth. The truth is, Messi is human, and he bears the burden of expectation like any other athlete or individual. The Strawberries
In renaissance art the strawberry stood for harmony. The bowl of strawberries tells us that to Messi, Barcelona is and will always be, home. The Plant
The plant represents spiritual nourishment, triumph over temptation. What has always been unquestionable for Messi is his commitment to club and country. The Draped Mirror
The mirror, partly covered by a sheet, symbolises Messi’s disinterest in the limelight. Despite the attention football brings, Messi doesn’t care for the spotlight. He lives for his family and football. The Lavender & Newtons Cradle
The lavender traditionally represents desire. The sixth ball on the Newtons Cradle demonstrates Messi’s ambition to win another Ballon d’Or regardless of his age. The Globe
The pins on the globe represent the locations of Messi’s most important victories – his Champions League wins. There is one pin that’s different to the rest. The white pin is in rival territory, Madrid, Messi’s next Champions League achievement. The Alien
Contrasting with the Caravaggio above it, a toy alien has been left on the floor. Many believe Messi is from another planet. However human he looks, to some, Messi is out of this world. The Floor Tiles
Those with a keen eye for Barcelona’s skyline will notice that the tiles on the floor depict the view of Barcelona from above. Another reference to his second home. Calendar
The date on the calendar, June 1st 2019, shows the viewer what Messi is focusing on most of all – another Champions League title. The Dog Bowl
The dog bowl pays tribute to Messi’s beloved bulldog.
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