What well-known images inspire or touch you and why?

Images on ceiling of Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. One of the most universally famous is that of God creating Adam. What gives it its power? I can’t tell you.

It has had a lot more effect on me than this, for example.

Gail stole my answer…that is the very first image I ever fell in love with, and I’m not even a religious person. It is, in a word: awesome. Gail: note proper usage!

David. He took my breath away. If I understood why, then maybe it wouldn’t be as awe inspiring.

Starry Night always puts me in a dreamy mood; my mind begins to ponder the “big questions” whenever I see it.

I find this one incredibly inspirational. I want to walk into the picture and stand right beside him. It captures both the incredible fragility and the magnificent power of the human being.

@Harp: Powerful image. Every time I see it, I am nearly brought to tears.

This one. Which is what prompted me to do this it’s not crooked… it’s the picture. If I’m ever brought to that point again emotionally, I’m not sure I’ll want to continue living. I never felt so terrified and helpless, without hope, you name it.

I love Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by Joe Rosenthal. It makes me proud to be an American.

And then there’s this one, of the man who used a spinning wheel to disarm one of the most powerful nations in history. No bravado; no hatred; just calm determination. Beautiful.

nike of samothrace at the louvre. not sure why but I just thought it was abolutely beautiful and powerful.

During the Vietnam war, Life Magazine ran a photo of dead U.S. soldiers loaded into the back of a truck like bales of hay. It spoke more to the horror of war than any other image I can think of, and more than 40 years later, I am still unable to get that picture out of my mind.

More recently, I recall the news footage of New York residents fleeing in terror from the cloud of dust and debris when the Twin Towers collapsed. I will never get those images out of my mind, either.

@Ich; See poof“s link ^^.

Here’s the photo of the young Vietnamese girl running away from her village that had just been sprayed with napalm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TrangBang.jpg

@gail.. wow.. that picture is amazing. well, not in a good way.. hard to explain but you know what i mean. i was speechless when i saw that, it just took my breath away. it made me sick to my stomach. thank you though.. i will never forget that picture. saddest thing i’ve ever seen in my life.

@General; Sadly there are equally horrible and sickening images from every war.

tinyfaery; starry night is my favorite too. i have it hanging in my wall, and everytime i look at it, i think of something else it might mean.