Paul George Laffoley Jr. (1935-2015) The World Soul of Plotinus, 2001 Oil, acrylic, and letter set on canvas with artist's frame 72 x 72 inches (182.9 x 182.9 cm) Signed and dated on the reverse: Paul Laffoley 2001 PROVENANCE: Kent Gallery, New York; Private collection, British Columbia, Canada. EXHIBITED: Henry Art Gallery, "Paul Laffoley: Premonitions of the Bauharoque," April 6–September 29, 2013. LITERATURE: Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, Washington, Paul Laffoley: Premonitions of the Bauharoque, exhibition catalogue, April 6–September 29, 2013, p. 302, fig. 13, illustrated. Paul Laffoley’s The World Soul of Plotinus (2001) is a mesmerizing fusion of philosophy, mysticism, and visual art. At once diagram and painting, the work channels the Neoplatonic cosmology of Plotinus into a complex mandala-like composition that radiates intellectual intensity. At its core is the concept of the One—the source of all existence—surrounded by concentric rings that represent the process of emanation through which the universe unfolds. Laffoley’s meticulous use of symbols, text, and geometry transforms the canvas into a metaphysical map. The central vortex, encircled by radiant energy and philosophical axioms, evokes the soul’s journey from material entrapment to spiritual unity. Portraits of ancient thinkers and architectural columns frame the image, reinforcing the dialogue between classical thought and visionary art. The World Soul of Plotinus is not only a meditation on the nature of being but also a testament to art’s power to visualize the invisible. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice