This painting is based on the legend of Dagda’s Harp, which was known to produce Music of Tears, Music of Mirth and Music of Sleep. Dagda also used it to command battles. The strength of the harp with its heavy decorated presence takes the centre focus of this composition. The Harp symbolically gives birth to three females who represent the three sounds. The Music of Sleep and the Music of Mirth are basked in sunlight to accentuate their hope and peacefulness, whilst the head of the Music of Tears is turned towards shade, to emphasize her sorrow. In stark contrast to the serenity of the foreground composition, a frenzied battle rages in the background, its madness enhanced by sketches portraying general chaos and seemingly disconnected body parts.
