Original artwork description:

This painting was made when the world was still in the grip of the Covid pandemic and it was easy to feel that humanity was in free-fall. Unfortunately, the relevance of the piece has not diminished since it was first made.

The painting is made in egg tempera and gold leaf on an oak panel - materials that were standard in the medieval period - and the figure is modelled into low relief in gesso. It strongly references medieval images of the descent into Hell and the Last Judgement.

Although it was inspired by external circumstances, it also expresses internal feelings of despair. The dark, glowing red colour calls to mind the interior of a body. The human figure is trapped inside his own mind, feeling unable to escape from his own, dark version of the world.

The painting forms a companion piece to 'Floating'. It is signed and dated on the reverse and has a d-ring attached so that it is ready to hang.

Materials used:

oak panel, gesso, gold leaf, pigments, egg tempera

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