INTERFUSION/ 'The Sybils of the Ancient World'/ A geometric figurative pictographic abstraction by Eric Whollem/ CONTEMPORARY ART

INTERFUSION

1984

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

Collection of the artist

6" x 9"

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

The Sybils of the Ancient World

This painting is based upon my studies of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

I have always been fascinated by his depictions of the Sibyls of the ancient

world.

He depicted the Cumaen Sybil, representing the prophetic spirit of Italy; the

Erythrean Sybil, symbolizing the ancient Hellenic oracle of Turkey; the Persian Sybil;

the Delphic Sybil (representing the oracle of Delphi); and the Libyan Sybil.  Libya

is one of the archaic names of Africa.This was the quintessence of the Renaissance~

seeing the egalitarian status of the wisdom of all the cultures of the world, and

placing them on a par with the icons of the Judeo~Christian system.

Michelangelo helped to codify what became Humanism through these

allegories.

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See my online image gallery of ABSTRACT ART:

https://picasaweb.google.com/earthpaint/AbstractArtByEricWhollem#

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

GARDEN OF THE NIGHT

by Eric Whollem

Read more about the ancient SYBILS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybil