different sections
Image of the man emerging from the swamp
I have always been fascinated by the eighth image from the Splendor Solis manuscripts. This shows the strange figure of a man emerging from a swamp. One arm is white, the other red and his body black, thus incorporating the main colour changes in the alchemical process. His head is metamorphosed into a glassy sphere, and that I find a wonderful image. As he walks out of the swamp, an angel figure appears and hands him a red robe.
Some years ago I made a facsimile copy of the main part of the image. It sat on my wall for a few months and then I sold it. A year or so later I found I was somewhat missing this image and I asked an artist friend of mine, Phil Gibson, to make a version of it in his own style, but keeping the central core of imagery. I was so pleased with this that I decided to ask other artists to make a version of this image in their own style. Bob Ellaby and Laurel Price next made versions for me. This is an ongoing project and I am now going to commission other artists, whose painting styles I admire, to make further copies. Eventually, if I can afford to continue with this project, hopefully I will in time gather ten to twenty such paintings and then I may be able to mount an exhibition of this theme.
 Original painting on parchment |
 Original central image |
 Facsimile oil painting by McLean |
 Acrylic painting by Phil Gilbson |
 Pyrograph by Miguel Calle |
 Acrylic painting by Erin McCauley |
 Painting by Bob Ellaby |
 Painting by Laurel Price |