Centurion, 2023

8x10 inches with a one inch border surrounding the image

Giclee Print on watercolor paper

This print of an original watercolor painting was part of a statue series that I did in 2023. The purpose was to hone my skill in painting the human form in watercolor. My painting, Right Hand, 2023, is another example from that series.

I took a picture of this sculpture of Julius Ceasar by Nicolas Coustou on a trip to the Musee du Louvre in Paris France. The marble sculpture was commissioned in 1696 to be displayed in the Gardens of Versailles. It was transferred to the Louvre in 1872 where it resides today. It reflects classicism and a grand presence.

Caesar is painted prominently in the center as he peers over the viewers eye level. This delivers an air of authority and supremacy to his audience. The warm grey tones used in the palette creates an atmosphere of antiquity that is almost palpable. The attention to the anatomical detail in the in the forefront is in contrast to the flat simple background. This emphasizes our attention to Ceasar as we bow in his flawless shadow.

The looming American elections influenced this piece as I contemplated our vision to have such an infallible leader.