Cardinal Griffin, the hammer of heretics, the light of the orient, and the arbiter of Christendom.
Here are some pictures which I used for reference in the background details
This is the completed drawing in colour and black and white ink.
Here are some prepatory sketches in which I planned the form of the composition.
James is devout young historically and theologically attentive Baroque gentleman, whose historism has led him to irreversibly indulge in the culture and character of superior times. It is often imagined that the study of history, rather than a mere assembly of chronology and data, is meant to shape ones character- producing a sympathy with the past and those customs and concerns associated with their times. James's intellectual adventurism has lead him unto a path into the premodern era of higher culture and more splendid devotion, from which few can suitably follow and he cannot be expected to return unchanged. In this composition, I attempted to portray James as he truly is, situated in the era of the baroque Ancien Regime, rather than interned in our present circumstances which are wholly alien to him. As such, James is depicted in a heroic stance of conquerors and kings. James is a cardinal, soldier, and law-giver. With one hand he gives order and harmony to Asia. With the other, he attentively grasps the hilt of his sword as he pivots his body towards the West and his perpetual devotion to the Catholic faith. Although the composition is devided in two, representing James's divided intellectual and ethnic heritage, their remains a continuity of devotion and fidelity which follows from the kowtowing Asian businessman at the far right unto the adoration of the splendid Eucharist at the far left. Let all who see this know, that James hast cast out the demons of modernity unto the outer darkness, and restored harmony, filiality, and devotion to the world! Praise Jahmes.
James is devout young historically and theologically attentive Baroque gentleman, whose historism has led him to irreversibly indulge in the culture and character of superior times. It is often imagined that the study of history, rather than a mere assembly of chronology and data, is meant to shape ones character- producing a sympathy with the past and those customs and concerns associated with their times. James's intellectual adventurism has lead him unto a path into the premodern era of higher culture and more splendid devotion, from which few can suitably follow and he cannot be expected to return unchanged. In this composition, I attempted to portray James as he truly is, situated in the era of the baroque Ancien Regime, rather than interned in our present circumstances which are wholly alien to him. As such, James is depicted in a heroic stance of conquerors and kings. James is a cardinal, soldier, and law-giver. With one hand he gives order and harmony to Asia. With the other, he attentively grasps the hilt of his sword as he pivots his body towards the West and his perpetual devotion to the Catholic faith. Although the composition is devided in two, representing James's divided intellectual and ethnic heritage, their remains a continuity of devotion and fidelity which follows from the kowtowing Asian businessman at the far right unto the adoration of the splendid Eucharist at the far left. Let all who see this know, that James hast cast out the demons of modernity unto the outer darkness, and restored harmony, filiality, and devotion to the world! Praise Jahmes.
1 comment:
oh these are incredible Ryan.
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