Korsakoff's Mirror

First place winner for a DeviantArt contest themed 'damned'.

Korsakoff's syndrome is a form of amnesia often caused by alcohol abuse and possibly mukade (Japanese centipede) bites.

This painting was partially inspired by the case study of 'The Lost Mariner' in the book, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat",
written by neurologist Oliver Sacks. His patient, Jimmie G., had suffered retrograde amnesia to the age of nineteen and was never able to form new memories that lasted more than a few minutes. When given a mirror, he would forever be horrified and confused to see a man decades older than he expected.