John Duncan
January 31, 2008
Tristan and Iseult
(1912)
The legend of Tristan and Iseult is an influential romance and tragedy. It has had an impact on Western art and literature since the 12th century.
In this painting, Tristan has been sent to Ireland to bring back the fair Iseult to Cornwall, for his uncle King Mark to marry. On the voyage they (somehow) end up drinking the love potion intended for Mark. They fall madly in love, with devastating results.
John Duncan (1866-1945) was born in Dundee, Scotland. He was studying at the Dundee School of Art by age eleven.
Much of his work is done in tempera, though he experimented with many other techniques. His main subject matter is rooted in the Celtic Revival and Pre-Raphaelite* tradition.
At one point, John Duncan confessed to hearing ‘fairy music’ when he painted. This led him into trouble when he fell in love with and married a girl who believed she had discovered the Holy Grail.
The marriage was unsuccessful.
* The Pre-Raphaelites rejected what they considered to be mechanistic approaches to art, and focused on returning to the abundant detail, intense colours, and complex compositions of Quattrocento Italian and Flemish art.
Posted in old world
jess@dragonsinn.net
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 am
Hey Jess; Maybe you already know but this site has great artwork in it. The artist’s name is Micah Farritor. http://micahfarritor.blogspot.com/
For some reason, I’ve been very affected by his/her drawings. I believe they are awesome.
DB
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:03 am
hello DB,
i’m online now but off to try and finish a book soon…
i somehow happen to not have come across this artist yet, so thanks for the link. will add to the “will feature sometime” list.
the artist’s a he, btw
jess.