Description
“Crispus” is an oil painting of the Great Unmasking Series that resonates with the intense energy of its namesake, the first son of Emperor Constantine. The canvas is commandeered by a bold, authoritative line that weaves through the space with unyielding determination, a testament to the artist’s embrace of the line’s dictatorial force over the creative process.
The result is a mask that is fiery and passionate. Swirls of red and gold envelop the canvas, reflecting the tumultuous life of Flavius Claudius Crispus—a tragic hero who was once able and great, yet fraught with faults. These colors create a sense of depth and motion, as if the mask itself is alight with the internal struggle and fervor of Crispus’s own life. The curls are reminiscent of the flames of ambition, desire, and ultimately, downfall.
Despite the chaos suggested by the color and form, the mask remains balanced and graphic. The contours are deliberate and defined, much like the rigid structures of ancient Rome that Crispus would have known. This control in design juxtaposes the lack of control Crispus had over his fate, reflecting the artist’s own journey with the painting—guided by the line, yet at its mercy.
The artwork is a visual symphony that captures the essence of Crispus’s story, a figure of historical magnitude who was ultimately not in control of his destiny, overshadowed by the greater power of his father, the Emperor. “Crispus” thus becomes a representation not just of a person, but of the human condition: the constant battle between our aspirations and our limitations, the fiery passion of our pursuits, and the ultimate reality of our place in the grand narrative of history. The painting stands as a monument to those who dare to reach greatness, only to be reminded of their humanity.
Title : Crispus
Type : oil on canvas
Size : 100 * 100 cm
Year : 2018
