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Category Archives: The Cardinal Virtues
Virtues
I sealed the two canvases with some burnt sienna and medium over the drawings, wiping much of the paint of with a rag. The drawings drop back into the rich oxide and become harder to see, but the marks are … Continue reading
Posted in Making work, The Cardinal Virtues
Tagged oils, painting, Tarot-related paintings
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Virtues
I’ve drawn Temperance and Justice and I’m pleased with both. This evening I’ll seal them both with some burnt sienna so that they’re ready to go. These look really good as first passes into the painting foray, so I’m full … Continue reading
Justice
Here she is! I’m happy with the composition, laid down the centre line of the panel, with the figure centred on the navel. She’s looking good. I put a blindfold over her eyes, as is traditional for blind justice, and … Continue reading
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Making panels
Ryan helped me to replace the paintings in the gallery this morning, then return the truck. As we left I noticed a pair of students looking at the walls with very puzzled expressions, no doubt because the pictures had changed … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Making work, The Cardinal Virtues
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Four Cardinal Virtues
            Here are Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice as they appear in a nineteenth century card deck, the Etteilla. Strength is a little unusual as it doesn’t show the … Continue reading
Justice
Pre-Raphaelite Amanda came to the studio this afternoon and we spent a delightful time taking pictures of her as Justice. She was a wonderful model! We borrowed a robe from the University chapel for her costume; I thought Justice should … Continue reading
Posted in Making work, The Cardinal Virtues
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Temperance xiii
Here’s a more developed sketch incorporating one of the pictures I shot Friday. I’m going to need to visit a pig farm to get my own shots, but these sketchy pigs will have to do for now. It’s going somewhere … Continue reading
Temperance xii
Here’s another sketch of Temperance, trying to figure out a more stylized composition and imagery. The funky fat shapes at the bottom are very loosely drawn pigs. I’ve included a vesica about her to emphasize the duality of all these … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Making work, The Cardinal Virtues
Tagged Alchemical work, duality, Tarot-related paintings
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Marseilles virtues
We find the virtue Prudence is missing from the Marseilles deck of cards too. I love the simple woodcut designs of this deck. Many cards in this deck are clearly influenced by the symbolism of alchemical illustrations. Temperance, Strength, Justice. Prudence is … Continue reading
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Visconti Sforza cardinal virtues
The three images here come from a deck of cards produced for the Visconti Sforza family in the mid-fifteenth century. From left to right: Justice, Temperance and Strength. The Marseillle deck shows the same three, which makes me wonder why … Continue reading
