MahaShiva
Magistrate
A powerful image, Arcimboldo--and distinctively Arcimboldo in the classical, old-fashioned way. Love it as I did just about everything your wrecked mind conjured up back in the days!What is this picture about?
1) A compassionate passer-by decides to fetch a bucket of water to extinguish the threatening flames.
2) The compassionate passer-by is neither compassionate nor a passer-by. She is the slaveholder who has just set light to the wooden baton. Now she is going home to enjoy the grilled chicken menu her remaining household slaves have prepared.
3) The passer-by is going to fetch a bucket of water. By her own fingers she will endearingly spread the cool fluid on the intimate parts of the victim to slow down and extend the refining process.
What could disarm this disgusting scene of cruelty?
1) Hopefully the fire will turn the wood into crumbly charcoal and the stick might break and fall down before the flames might reach the top.
2) They have forgotten to nail the victim's feet. Perhaps she can use them to extinguish the fire? Poor feet...
3) How full is her urinary bladder?
About the poll, I'd say it's unlikely that the other woman would dare or care to intervene, so #2 would be my answer to the first question. As to the second question, I think all three will happen: the poor damsel will certainly try to extinguish the fire, first by emptying her bladder and then, in desperation, with her bare feet. By this time, however, that effort alone is enough to break the already crumbly pole. After that, of course, she will be dancing for days to come on the big pole.