ST. FRANCIS

Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, 1988

(Private collection, Lake Forest, Florida)

The idea for this painting developed after creating the purple creature in the middle of the left side of the composition.  Since the creature was supposed to be quite fantastic, the other creatures also had to be imaginary, not only in colors, but in shapes.  The figure of the saint in the middle of the composition was almost secondary to all the animals.  It was important, however, that the painting does not present animals which could seem scary or horrifying--they were supposed to coexist peacefully and present a scene of perfect harmony.  The saint stretches his hands out and two doves alight on them, to emphasize the peacefulness of the scene.  In addition, the slightly surreal landscape, with the rounded rocks and long shadows, contribute to the unusual atmosphere of the painting. However, ultimately, the red panther and a strange white creature with large eyes at the bottom of the composition make the greatest impression on the viewers. The artist's signature appears on the spine of the book lying next to the saint.

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