#Son of man

[sictransitgloriamvndi]

[artmindlens]

The Son of Man by René Magritte (1964)

The Psychology of Transgression and Guilt Magritte’s The Son of Man immediately captivates with its two central symbols: the apple and the figure’s formal attire. The apple, suspended in front of the man’s face, evokes not only the biblical narrative of Eden but also the Oedipal Complex, where transgression against the father’s law leads to guilt. In the biblical tale, Adam consumes the forbidden fruit offered by Eve, symbolizing the birth of self-awareness, shame, and the burden of guilt. In this painting, the man’s face is concealed behind the apple, echoing the unresolved guilt from that original transgression.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, the apple mirrors the child’s desire for the mother and the violation of paternal boundaries, evoking the tension between desire and punishment. Before consuming the apple, Adam was unaware of his nakedness, just as the child, before transgressing paternal laws, is innocent of their own desires. Magritte’s man, in contrast, is fully dressed—his body covered by a formal suit, suggesting an overcompensation for that earlier transgression. His attire, like the suit of a corporate leader, represents conformity to societal rules and the defensive structures built to contain one’s hidden impulses.

However, it’s the apple that holds the deepest psychological weight. By hiding the man’s face—his core of identity and expression—it creates a psychological tension between the desire to be seen and the fear of being exposed. For a leader or executive, this speaks to the unconscious burden carried beneath the polished exterior, where the drive for success is continually shaped by the fear of transgression and the guilt of overstepping social or professional boundaries.

The Suit as a Symbol of Conformity and Defense The man’s formal attire serves as more than just a uniform of professionalism—it becomes a psychological defense. The suit, much like the hat perched atop his head, symbolizes social status and conformity, a way to signal adherence to the expectations of society, much like corporate leaders navigate the demands of shareholders, regulatory bodies, and industry norms. Yet, behind this polished exterior, the apple remains—a reminder that no matter how much we align ourselves with social structures, the hidden burden of guilt and the desire to transgress still linger beneath the surface.

Leaders who resonate with this painting might feel an unconscious connection to this duality of identity. On one hand, they must project a facade of control, success, and conformity. On the other, they may grapple with the weight of unresolved guilt from past decisions or actions—choices that, like the apple, remain hidden from public view but deeply influence their sense of self.

Transgression, Authority, and the Pursuit of Power The Oedipal Complex present in this work also extends into the realms of power and authority. The apple, symbolizing forbidden desire, creates a tension with the suit, a marker of societal success and control. For those drawn to this painting, it may evoke a subconscious acknowledgment of the transgressive impulses that often drive ambition—the desire to challenge authority and push past boundaries, while simultaneously seeking approval from the very structures they seek to defy.

For executives or professionals who might display this work, The Son of Man serves as a psychological mirror, reflecting the internal struggles faced in their journey toward leadership. The fear of exposure, the guilt of transgression, and the need for external validation all intertwine within the image. It reminds us that no matter how elevated one becomes in status or authority, the unconscious drive to rebel and the weight of guilt are never fully erased.

The Apple as the Unconscious Burden of Guilt At its core, the apple not only hides the man’s face but represents the guilt of wanting more—more power, more success, more control. In leadership, this often translates into a continuous striving for achievement while carrying the fear of overstepping boundaries. The man’s face, hidden yet central, reminds us that in the pursuit of success, there is always a part of the self that remains concealed—driven by past transgressions and the desire to surpass societal limitations.

For those drawn to this painting, it could signal an unconscious recognition of the cost of ambition—that the pursuit of power, while necessary, also comes with a burden of guilt and the need to reconcile one’s hidden desires with public expectations.

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

I "love" when nonchristians and exchristians try to use the title "Son of Man/Humanity" (because in hebrew it's "ben adam" and thus "son of humanity/a human") to try to be like "Seeeee!!1! Jesus was just a man! He said so himself!!!1" Because if you actually read the Bible you would know "Son of Man" is a more Divine title than "Son of God." And random Israelite is a Son of God, my friend, but only Jesus is Ben Adam, Son of Man. It is a claim to humanity AND divinity. Daniel 7.

[wiirocku]

Matthew 12:31-32 (NLT) - “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

[dramoor]

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

~Matthew 12:40

(Art by Gustave Dore)

[thelordismylightandmysalvation]

Verse of the Day - Luke 12:40

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Carl Heinrich Bloch (Danish, 1834-1890) The Burial of Christ, ca.1873 ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16, The Bible.

[the-cricket-chirps]

Above: René Magritte, Le Fils De L'Homme (The Son of Man), 1973 Lithograph

Below: Rene Magritte, The Listening Room, 1952

[mother-lee]

gustave doré, “Christ leaving the praetorium”

[elijones94]

🐾🦍 Young Tarzan and an angry stork 🌴

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Do You Believe in the Son of Man?

They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins [from head to foot], and you [presume to] teach us?” Then they threw him out [of the synagogue]. Jesus heard that they had put him out [of the synagogue], and finding him, He asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” — John 9:34-35 | Amplified Bible (AMP) The Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Isaiah 66:5; Matthew 4:3; John 9:2; John 9:22; 3 John 1:10

[palatinewolfsblog]

The Son of Man. "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do." Anne Lamott.

[wiirocku]

Mark 10:45 (NKJV) - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

[thurstongrey]

[herbertwest]

Saw this comic in the newspaper the other day and I love it

[theprocraftinator]

by stitchedandsewn.ph