Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Giver of Rings - Chooser of the Slain - Phantom of Sorcery

Once the land was good and green and there was moon and sun
But all things in the light were dimmed when came the ring, The One
It was lost and sought by those whose hidden hand held rotted blade
The hands of nine who went unseen for they were of shadow made
Their ghastly king of ghostly form rode forth with blighted sword
Searching ever for the ring, weapon of his dread Dark Lord
Here was death bade stalk the earth, chooser of the slain
And all who trodden in his path would stand their ground in vain

 This is a new painting which was a comission to depict my own version of the Witch-King of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul, from J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" novel.  I was inspired by a number of medieval sources including the Bayeux Tapestry, the Unicorn in Captivity tapestry (various other tapestries), and Osprey's Men-At-Arms reference books featuring arms and armor from Europe and Arabia.

The painting from top to bottom:

Minas Tirith, Mount Doom, and Minas Morgul
The Angel of Death (whose sash should read as "Do you not know death when you see it" to the best of my effort), the Witch-King, and his lieutenant the Nazgul Khamul
Slain men of Minas Tirith, Minas Ithil and Rohan
A vulture snacking out on a deer, The remaining Nazgul sitting with their rings under the ever watchful eye of Sauron, a fell beast
Two dead kings of men within reach of the One Ring

Grab a print if you like! Let MEDUSAWOLF be your gateway! Here are some close ups: