This document provides summaries of artworks that depict or represent each of the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. Each summary is 1-2 sentences and identifies the artist, artwork, and how it portrays or symbolizes the respective sin.

1. The Seven Deadly Sins
An Artistic Exploration
Taryn Strawser

2. Aristide Maillol: Desire (Sculpture
1906-1908)
Love? No!
• Definitely not a quick
glance
• Ecstasy apparent
• Sin about to be
committed
• Instant gratification
• Regret? None!
• Enough with the promise
of love, this is lust.

3. Jean-Honore Fragonard: The Swing (Oil
on Canvas 1766)
Shady Afternoon
Darling let me see
What the secrets you keep below might be
He whispered this none too softly
His actions read as lofty
An innocent day
Turned lustful way by way

4. Margaret Bourke-White: Barrack #56
in the Small Camp (Photography 1945)
I am
I am the emaciated body you see
I am the bag of bones bound in skin
I am sleeping on a slab, a pot for my
pillow
I am blistered from shoveling all day
I am watching my friends die one by one
I am the only family member left alive
I am losing hope
I am wondering what’s next
I am waiting for disease
I am waiting for death
I am waiting for the Jews to be set free
I am waiting on a change of heart
I am waiting on the wrath to stop
I am going to be waiting forever

5. Jacques-Lois David: The Death of
Marat (Oil Painting 1793)
MARAT
Here lies departed
brother Marat
Thought he was safe
Well I guess not
The young blood did
spill
Nothing left but to read
the will

6. Duane Hanson: Woman Eating
(Polyester, Fiberglass, Resin 1971)
A Day at the Diner
Cheeseburgers, fries, and ice cream, oh my!
So much food- a glutton like me could cry.
People are concerned about my weight
And tell me I will never have a date.
They don’t realize their words, like a knife, cut
Straight to my heart and make me stuff my gut.
The talents I have are pushed aside,
Instead, behind three meals I’ll hide.
Bullies you make fun of me?
Thanks, for fueling my g-l-u-t-t-o-n-y.

7. Honore Daumier: The Imaginary
Malady (Painting 1879)
Hauki? I Have the Flu
Oh! I see the light
Cancer, Rubella, Measles
Do you believe me?

8. Dorothea Lange: “Migrant Mother”
(Photograph 1936)
June 27, 1936
Dear Diary,
Well, today was another rough day. But what
day isn’t during this depression? Used to be I would just
relax and take care of my kids. Could put meat on the
table. Every day. But nowadays? Nowadays, I’m lucky to
fix it once a month. Unless Joe manages to kill
something wild. I can’t help but wondering what if?
What if my twins Ronnie Lee and Rosie Lou didn’t come
to me crying because there’s dust in their eyes, and
nothing but dust in their bellies? What if my baby Lola
had a brighter future than turning into a street beggar?
What if I didn’t have to be worried to tell Joe about the
new baby, about the fourth hungry little mouth we will
have to feed? I envy those mothers who get to feed their
kids steak, who get to dress their kids in clothes the
don’t have holes and get to enjoy a baby on the way.
The green-eyed monster is about to get me. I know it is
not the Lord’s way and for that I am ashamed. But this
life makes me weary. So today when a lady stopped by
to take a picture of me and my three babies, I let her. Let
her show the world how weary I am. Maybe someone I
envy will take notice. Brother, could you spare a dime?
Tomorrow may be a better day.
That’s all for now,
Nellie Sue

9. Caravaggio: The Cardsharps (Oil on
Canvas 1594)
A Tanka About Greed
Peeking and Cheating
Dollars, dimes and pennies
In life’s cruel game
Loosing is not an option
Greed is an evil player

10. Peter Paul Rubens: Venus at the Mirror
(Oil Painting 1615)
Pride
Pride
Destructive, Selfish
Checking my reflection
Oh I am beautiful
Conceit

11. Pablo Picasso: Girl Before a Mirror (Oil
on Canvas 1932)
• Pretty self
• Relishing at my
appearance
• In love with the mirror
• Decided to love self
more than God
• Eternity away from Him

12. Sir Christopher Wren: St. Paul’s
Cathedral (Architecture/Stone 1675)
The Cathedral’s Call
Come one, come all
To the alter call
The confessional is always open
Or at least that is what the congregation is hopin’
I am the Cathedral standing tall
Confess one sin, confess them all
Or else forever feel earth’s fall.

13. Michelangelo: The Last Judgment
(Panel Painting1534-1541)
Have the Seven? Won’t Go to Heaven!
Come up, come away
It’s Resurrection day
The Lord’s trumpet is a-blaring
Every angel is wearing
Pure white
Enter into Heaven’s delight
Wait do you not know Jesus?
No, don’t plea it’s too late now to please us
Which of the seven sins made you fall?
Numbers 5, 6, or maybe just all?
Was it lust for another?
Or wrath for your brother?
Was gluttony your friend?
Only to abandon you at the end
Did envy call the monster green
To come out, to be known, be seen?
Or was it greed
That made you take heed?
Did sloth make you lazy?
Turned all of your thoughts crazy?
Or did you fall to the worst- pride
Now causing you not to take a ride
Up to the pearly gate
Remember this is just a poem so wait
Think before you sin
Choose Him and you will win!