Daredevil: Born Again – The meaning behind the painting "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" in Episode 4, explained

Daredevil: Born Again's fourth episode, "Sic Semper Systema" featured an interesting moment in its closing minutes. It reveals that Wilson Fisk has kept Adam, the artist Vanessa recently had an affair with as a hostage in a basement. This moment explains the injuries we saw on Fisk's fists in the previous three episodes of Born Again.

However, as he enters the basement, we see a mysterious bloodied-up white painting. This mysterious painting named "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" is introduced in the original Netflix series way back in the very first season's third episode, titled after the painting's name. This painting is significant Vanessa and Wilson met for the first time right in front of it.

Trigger warning: The part below includes descriptions of domestic violence.

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Explaining Daredevil: Born Again's "Rabbit in a Snowstorm":

As stated before, the painting appears in the third episode of the Netflix series' first season. The first time we see the painting on screen is also the introduction scene of Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. As he is morosely looking at the painting at the art gallery, the curator Vanessa Marianna walks and reveals its name "Rabbit in a Snowstorm".

When she asks Wilson how the painting makes Wilson feel, his reply is “It makes me feel alone.” That reply makes sense when we learn about his haunting backstory in the eighth episode of the same season. Wilson's father, Bill, had contested an election by securing a loan from the mob boss Rigoletto but lost. This resulted in a bully attacking young Wilson, and Bill not being sympathetic to his son.

After encouraging Wilson to beat the bully up, Bill tells Wilson to stare at a blank wall and think about what kind of a man the boy wants to be. But when Wilson's mother confronts Bill about how he endangered the entire family by taking a loan from a mob boss, he starts abusing her and verbally attacks Wilson too (not the first time that he has done that). That's when Wilson kills his father with a hammer.

Thus looking at this painting reminds Wilson of the day he killed his father. But he justifies it by saying that he keeps different mementos of his father to remind himself to not be cruel. However, the loneliness still haunts him as Wilson is imprisoned at the end of the first season and Vanessa is sent to a separate country for safety. Now, the wall of his cell serves as the "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" stand-in.

But the painting makes a return in the third season of Netflix's Daredevil.

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Why is Daredevil: Born Again's "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" bloodied up?

As stated before, the painting makes its way back into the series in Daredevil Season 3. Fisk tries to buy the painting from a woman who is the descendant of the original owners of the painting. Turns out, the N*zis stole the painting from the owners, but it was finally returned decades later after Wilson's incarceration. However, the painting still returns to Fisk and Vanessa as it is implied that the woman was killed.

After Vanessa's return, she becomes a partner in his criminal empire and even marries him. However, right after getting married, Wilson is attacked by FBI agent Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye in his Daredevil costume. Bullseye was previously aligned with Fisk and the latter convinces Poindexter to dress up as Daredevil to taint the Man Without Fear's legacy in the eyes of the people.

But Poindexter learns about Fisk's treachery as the Kingpin killed the woman the former was obsessed with and regarded as his north star. This turns him against Fisk and he decides to attack the Fisks on their wedding night. But that's when the real Daredevil also crashes in to kill Wilson Fisk.

Thus, begins a three-way fight between Bullseye, Wilson Fisk, and Daredevil. In that fight despite Poindexter's numerous attempts at Vanessa's life, Daredevil manages to save her life. Then Wilson breaks Bullseye's back and then resumes his tussle with Daredevil. In that fight, Matt beats Wilson and beats Fisk to a pulp. It is through these hits that Wilson's blood splatters on the painting.

Despite all the beating, Matt refuses to kill Wilson and one-ups him by threatening to reveal Vanessa's role in his criminal empire. Hearing this Fisk offers to recall all the attempts at Foggy and Karen's life in exchange for Matt's silence and even surrenders to the police. After that, we don't know how Fisk got out though as seen in Hawkeye or Echo, the latter also sets up a key plot point for Daredevil: Born Again.

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Will Rabbit in a Snowstorm play a role in Daredevil: Born Again?

While we see the painting in the latest Daredevil: Born Again episode, it doesn't look like "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" will play a role in the Disney+ series. It just feels like showrunner Dario Scardapane wanted to pay homage to the original Netflix series. However, the show may surprise the fans and include a storyline featuring the painting:

"In Marvel Television’s 'Daredevil: Born Again', Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course."

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Four episodes of Daredevil: Born Again are currently streaming on Disney+. The fifth and sixth episodes will be released simultaneously this coming Tuesday.