Original artwork description:

THE FAITHFUL AND THE FALLEN
triptych 2018
acrylic and oil on canvas
149,6 (w) x 59,1 (h) x 0,8 in
380 (w) x 150 (h) x 2 cm

3 LARGE-SIZED PAINTINGS
LARGE-SIZED TRILOGY AS TRIPTYCH

This trilogy is inspired by the history of the medieval Crusades. These Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims started primarily to secure control of holy sites in the Eastern Mediterranean considered sacred by both groups. Eight major Crusade expeditions occurred between 1096 and 1291. The bloody, violent and often ruthless conflicts started in 1095, when Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade in a sermon at the Council of Clermont. But the two-century attempt to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule ended in failure. The last Catholic outposts Acre fell in 1291. But the Era of the Crusades is also intrinsically tied to famous medieval commanders as Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor (Frederick Barbarossa), Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart), and Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and it was the birth of knightly orders as The Knights Templars, The Teutonic Knights and The Hospitallers of St John. The Crusades had also an impact on Middle East nations for many years, and still influence political and cultural views and opinions held today.

This fight between the Orient and Occident, between (Roman Catholic) Christianity and Islam has a long history. It is still a subject of discussion where was the starting point of this conflict and I don't want to adjudicate on medieval incidents, perpetrators and victims and on deeds and misdeeds on both sides from the perspective of the 21st century. But what I know: those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it (Winston Churchill). Only the deeper knowledge of the past enables a peaceful tomorrow. This fact includes the attempt of understanding individual medieval environment, motivation and set of beliefs. Beyond all question historical narratives of the Era of Crusades offer us stories of humility, courage, creed, and hope and inspired romance, philosophy, and literature by accounts of heroism, chivalry, and piety. Emotions mixed with their unshakeable belief in God that motivated kings, knights, servants and ordinary people to “Take the Cross”.

My trilogy THE FAITHFUL AND THE FALLEN about the First Crusade combines three essential of my works (2018) from aesthetic standpoints as well as with regard to contents. The triptych brings important events of the Era of the Crusades into focus and should “read” from left to right:

"DEUS LO VULT. GOD WILLS IT"
acrylic and oil on canvas, 2018 / 59,1 (h) x 47,2 (w) x 0,8 in / 150 (h) x 120 (w) x 2 cm
left part of the triptych

"THE KINGDOM OF JERUSALEM"
acrylic and oil on canvas, 2018 / 59,1 (h) x 47,2 (w) x 0,8 in / 150 (h) x 120 (w) x 2 cm
center part of the triptych

"NO MORE SHALL MY MORNING RISE IN OUTREMER"
acrylic and oil on canvas, 2018 / 59,1 (h) x 47,2 (w) x 0,8 in / 150 (h) x 120 (w) x 2 cm
right part of the triptych

* * * *

"As we go in the name of God, we are confident that He will guide us."
~ James I. of Aragon (1208 - 1278)

“You who love with true love, awake!
Sleep no more! The lark tells us know that the day is here
And tells us in her songs that the day of peace has come
Which God, in his great tenderness, will give to those who for love of him
Take the cross and for their burden suffer pain both night and day
Then he will see who truly love him.”
~ from 'Les chansons de croisade' (Songs of the Crusades), unknown poet but written before the poet's participation in the Fifth Crusade around 1218

* * * *

This triptych is a true LARGE-SIZED TRILOGY. For a large-scale, aesthetic and colourful impression on your wall AND as my authentic and personal artwork with an artistic subsurface message. All of these paintings also for sale as single pieces here at Artfinder. This triptych offers a price advantage in comparision to the summarized single selling prices. For further information about the specific topic of each artwork and additional photos please visit the pages of the 3 single paintings at Artfinder.

I use exclusively oil and acrylic colors, canvas and solid wooden frames in a professional museum quality. The three paintings wear my signature on the front and they are signed, entitled and dated on the backside. Deliberately the sides/edges (0,8 in / 2 cm wide) are not part of the paintings and show the black painted canvas (beautiful contrast). The paintings are ready to hang (on the backsides: high-quality iron plates with metal inserts and nylon rope for gallery use), unframed and don’t need a frame or any additional surface treatment. All paintings have a single hanging (no backside connections between the paintings). This trilogy contains 3 single paintings, each in acrylic and oil on canvas and with dimensions of 59,1 (h) x 47,2 (w) in / 150 (h) x 120 (w) cm. I prefer a hanging distance each of 3,94 in / 10 cm between the 3 single paintings. Complete dimensions of this artwork, including the hanging space between the single paintings: 149,6 (w) x 59,1 (h) x 0,8 in / 380 (w) x 150 (h) x 2 cm.

The piece (3 paintings) will be safely shipped in a custom wooden crate. It will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a cover letter. Please note: In context pictures are not necessarily to scale and are for illustrative purposes only. If you have any questions about this triptych or any other piece, feel free to contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks so much for taking an interest in my work.

Warm wishes,
Christian

Materials used:

acrylic and oil on canvas

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