The Crimes of Love

Mixed Media on Canvas | 60cm x 80cm | £2200

The Crimes of Love is a haunting and enigmatic painting that explores themes of desire, power, and moral ambiguity. Set in a decaying mansion, the room seems to be slowly succumbing to time, with the outside world creeping in, as if the very fabric of reality is unravelling. At the centre sits a man in a suit, his intense gaze directed squarely at the viewer, as though he is both participant and observer of the unfolding drama. Beside him, a wolf, its true nature uncertain, lurks, its presence blurring the line between protector and predator.

In the corner, a naked woman, on her hands and knees, raises unsettling questions about her situation. Is she there by choice, or is she a victim of some darker force? Above her, a stained-glass window portrays a knight in armour, seemingly watching over her – yet is he a guardian or a symbol of oppressive authority?

In the shadows, a ghostly white figure peers from within a heavy, dark wardrobe – its motives unclear, adding an element of eerie mystery. At the threshold of the room, a nun enters through a doorway, her relationship to the scene ambiguous – does she come to offer salvation, or to further complicate the web of power and submission that seems to entangle all the figures?

In the foreground, a torn and burnt piece of paper bears the title The Crimes of Love by the Marquis de Sade. This reference ties the entire composition to the provocative and controversial ideas of Sade, suggesting that the figures within the room may be playing out the tragic, morally complex, and often violent dynamics explored in his writing – where love becomes a battleground for domination, suffering, and liberation. The painting invites the viewer to question not only the relationships between the figures, but the very nature of love, power, and the darker impulses that reside within us all.

• This painting is on a 40mm deep box canvas and unframed.
• Framing on request, please get in touch to discuss ideas and your decor. 
• A truly unique and original painting, only one of its kind in existence!
• Signed on the front and reverse by the artist Anna-Marie Buss and will make a sensational and thought-provoking addition to your home.
• Free delivery in the UK, please get in contact for a shipping price outside of the UK. 
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