The painting is a study of an eye damaged by a phenomena called Solar Retinopathy: it occurs when bright light from the sun (or other bright light source) damages the retina, causing a blind spot in one or both eyes. However, the damage is painless and a person generally will not experience these symptoms immediately after looking directly at the intense light. Metaphorically it refers to blindness caused by overwhelming violence we are exposed to. Eventually we don’t see it any more: we accept it and surrender.
