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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GARDEN OF THE NIGHT
by Eric Whollem
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