Œuvre n°16 : G.O.A.T

The markhor is a goat bovid that lives mainly in the western Himalayas, for years it is classified as an endangered species due to poaching, pollution and war conflicts. It is the national animal and symbol of Pakistan.

The word Markhor is derived from the Persian language, Mar means snake and Khor means eater, this is because of the markhor's ability to kill snakes although it is a herbivore. This reference to the snake also comes from the resemblance of its long horns to a wavy snake body.

Onthophagus Taurus, more commonly known as the bull dung beetle, is the strongest insect in the world, capable of pulling 1,141 times its own body weight. The equivalent of this feat in a human being would be for a person of 70 kg to be able to pull a load of 80 tons, the current record is 2.4 tons.

In addition to this Herculean strength, these beetles are very useful for farms. By burying the manure to raise their offspring, they fertilize the soil and limit the proliferation of flies and bacteria. They allow farmers to reduce their consumption of fertilizers and to move towards organic farming.

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, more commonly known as Leonardo da Vinci, was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, a small town in Tuscany near Florence, from the illegitimate love affair of a notary and a peasant woman.  At the age of five, his father noted his talent for drawing and placed him as an apprentice in Verrocchio's workshop in Florence.

This young boy who would leave his mark on the world for centuries was first and foremost a drawing enthusiast. At the age of twenty he joined the famous Guild of painters of Florence, his career began with remarkable works such as La vierge à l’œillet, or L’Annonciation. He will work thereafter for powerful men such as the pope Léon X, Louis XII of France, César Borgia and will carry out fascinating works like La Cène or the Queen of the Louvre La Joconde.

The great Renaissance painter is seen today as a universal mind (inventor, engineer, scientist, humanist, philosopher). Numerous sketches and drawings that have come down to us show that the artist participated in many inventions: the airplane, the helicopter, the parachute, the submarine, the tank, the machine gun etc.  

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, esprit universel 1452-1519

Earl Manigault "the GOAT" was born on September 7, 1944 in Charleston, South Carolina and moved to Harlem, New York at a young age. He spent his youth and teenage years practicing basketball on the streets of New York City. In high school, he was the star despite his 1m85 he was promised a great career in the NBA, from the age of 18 his name and his exploits resonate in the community.

Manigault played with some of the best players of his era, such as Earl Monroe, Connie Hawkins and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar after his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, gives as an answer to the question "who is the best player you have ever played against?" Manigault without hesitation. He who was destined for a great career saw the street caught up with him and came face to face with the white lady, the heroine made him commit delays and know the prison. But his name remains in the memories and nobody will be able to take away his title of GOAT.

"For every Michael Jordan, there's an Earl Manigault. We can't all do it; somebody has to fall. And I was that one." 

Earl ManiGOAT, basketball player 1944-1998