Orphic Neophyte
1983
by Eric Whollem
earth paints, gouache and bronze powder in acrylic emulsion on paper
Collection of the artist.
17 7/8" x 14 1/8"
Copyright by the artist.
The Abaton is the name given to the chamber of initiation in
the old cultures of the Mediterranean. It relates to terms
like the abyssos, or the sea. Much aquatic symbolism is
found in the Eleusinian Mysteries. Apollo, the Sun Fish,
was the chief hierophant. The neophyte was symbolically
taken into the abyssos in his descent into the Abaton,
which was also called the Pit.
