“Mons Calpe” (2014)
by Barbara Kacicek (1957-)
9×12 in., oil on panel
Coppola Collection

The Rock of Gibraltar was one of the Pillars of Hercules and was known to the Romans as Mons Calpe, the other pillar being Mons Abyla on the African side of the Strait. In ancient times, the two points marked the limit to the known world, a myth originally fostered by the Greeks and the Phoenicians.

The overall silhouette of this composition reminded me of the tradition view of the Rock of Gibraltar, and I got to name the piece. There is some humor in the Gibraltar shape merely being paper, here, that is nonetheless held down by a rock. Well, I thought it was funny.