Illustrations of Tolkien in a Medieval Style
Jun 8, 2014 4:57:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 4:57:35 GMT
While this isn't strictly on topic, this morning I found a collection of illustrations of Tolkien's books (The Lord of the Rings, mostly) by Ukrainian artist Sergey Yukhimov, which are stylized to resemble Russian Medieval paintings. I found them astonishing and gorgeous, and was reminded of the Gunnerkrigg Treatises by certain ways of their composition, so I wanted to share them with you.
www.liveinternet.ru/community/2281209/post116167073
I've attempted to identify in brief descriptions every picture from eyesight and memory, but couldn't pin them all down. Here's a list, because I'm German. Additions and corrections welcome:
1. Gandalf and the Balrog fight atop the Zirak-zigil; Gandalf is rescued by Gwaihir and resurrected.
2. A synopsis of the Fellowship's departure from Imladris and Lothlórien, as well as the split after the battle on the Amon Hen. Gandalf appears as the White.
3. The Taming of Sméagol.
4. The Council of Elrond, recalling the Last Supper. The shape of the table is typical of Greco-Roman depictions of all kinds of meals.
5. Frodo (?) getting ready to leave Bag End.
6. Grishnakh has kidnapped Merry and Pippin.
7. Merry and Pippin at Treebeard's house.
8. A wizard in white robes appears before Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli; thinking it is Saruman, they attack. Note the grey nimbus.
9. Gandalf et al. arrive at Isengard, which has already been destroyed. Merry and Pippin welcome them.
10. Gríma Wormtongue throws the Palantír from the Orthanc, missing his target. Pippin (behind the tower) is listening in. The "hand of fate" emerging from the clouds intrigues me.
11. Sam Gamgee as a warrior in Mordor.
12. Gandalf (Mithrandir) and the Witch-king fighting over Minas Tirith.
13. The ship that carries the Ring-Bearers arrives at Tol Eressea (which lies in outer space). The island is depicted as being delivered unto the group. Círdan is shown on the far left.
14. Boromir taking a cue from Saint Sebastian.
15. Left: Theoden (?) duels the Witch-king. (Or is it Frodo putting on the Ring before the Nazgûl atop Weathertop?) Right: possibly Frodo inside Mt. Doom?
16. Gandalf comes to Hobbiton.
17. Unsure. The sitting people might be Merry and Pippin, judging by their size and clothing, behind whom appear the banners of Rohan and Dol Amroth respectively. Someone plays the lyre before the empty seat bearing Aragorn's royal banner.
18. Strider at the Prancing Pony?
19. Sam at Shelob's Lair. The people on the ground are Gondorian guards who fell prey to Shelob.
20. [same as 5]
21. The four hobbits in the company of Tom Bombadil.
22. The Witch-king's horse is swallowed by the rising river near Imladris (I forgot its name) after the hobbits' escape from Weathertop.
23. Unsure. The man in the middle is Gandalf, and Gwaihir looks down from above. The woman (Eowyn?) on the right bears a crown and sword.
24. The Bridge of Khazad-Dum.
25. Left: [same as 22]. Right: Unsure. Possibly Frodo and Sam in disguise as Sauron's soldiers after the events at Cirith Ungol, since they wear Elven mantles.
26. Theoden is slain, which is helpfully announced by the Bayeux Tapestry.
27. The hobbits return from their successful journey and find the Shire very much changed.
28. Elessar and Mithrandir revive the White Tree of Gondor. (In the book, Aragorn merely finds and plants a seed, I think.)
29. Elessar with insignia (the Reforged Sword, the Scepter and the Seeing Stone).
30. Frodo and Sam in Mordor.
31. The western door of Moria.
32. The Five Istari arranged in a Greek cross.
33. ?
34. Frodo (on the left, holding the Phial) and Sam encounter Shelob.
35. Sam finds the naked Frodo in the Tower at Cirith Ungol.
36. Gandalf.
37. ?
38. ?
39. A map of the Amon Hen and surroundings; the mountain is being attacked by orcs.
40. Frodo, Sam and Gollum have set up camp in a lush landscape (probably Ithilien).
41. Thrór's map, which Thorin carried around.
42. Unsure. The sword is glowing, but I'm not sure where exactly this might be. Possibly Sam in the Tower at Cirith Ungol?
43. ?
44. The hobbits exit the Tower at Cirith Ungol. Note the Guardian statues.
45. The Witch-king traversing a bridge. Frodo and Sam are taking cover under their Elven mantles (lower left), identifying the scene as the Witch-king leaving Minas Morgul with his army.
46. Samwise battles Shelob, while Frodo is lying on the ground, poisoned.
47. The siege of Minas Tirith. (The Witch-king descends on a winged beast.)
48. Elessar commands the King of the Oathbreakers to obey.
49. The Fellowship departs from Imladris.
50. ?
51. Faramir welcomes the hobbits into Henneth Annun.
52. An oliphaunt trumpets in triumph. (Ithilien; Sam, Frodo, and several Dúnedain are present.)
53. Frodo, Sam and Gollum in the Marshes.
54. ?
55. Sam helps Frodo climb the slopes of Mt. Doom.
56. Frodo and Sam watch the Orc Camp.
57. Mithrandir and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith. Denethor is seen in a hooded black robe.
58. Sam, Frodo and Gollum scout the Black Gate and find it impassable.
59. Unsure. Mithrandir is fighting a rider emerging from a dragon's maw that is actually a gate while Legolas and Gimli are riding a purple horse on the right, and the banners of the entire West are flown. Probably the battle before the Black Gate, which makes the rider the Mouth of Sauron. (I think he did ride a skeletal creature in the book, but I'm not sure.)
60. Unsure. The four people in the middle appear to be the hobbits, who are rescued by arches (Dúnedain?)
61. The Fellowship's boat ride down the Anduin. The two statues that mark the (former) northern border of Gondor are depicted in a very interesting fashion.
62. I really like this picture. It probably depicts the hobbits on their way to Bree, and is reminiscent of the foreground of Breughel's The Hunters in the Snow (or whatever it is called in English).
63. The Ents march on Isengard, as their banner helpfully announces to the world. Saruman has a nice tan, but his position does not otherwise invite envy. I love the bizarre stop sign on the path to Isengard, which incorporates the White Hand.
64. The horn emerging from the castle and the presence of Ents, as well as Legolas and Gimli, identify this scene as the siege of Helm's Deep.
65. Gandalf breaks Gríma's spell over Theoden and Eowyn. Gríma uncannily resembles the most prominent look of Mephisto from the Hungarian movie adaptation of Klaus Mann's novel.
66. [same as 1]
67. The Crowning of Elessar, now with angels.
68. The Army of the Dead captures the ships of the Corsairs.
69. Merry stabs the Witch-king as Eowyn raises her sword to slay him. The beheaded winged beast, as well as Theoden, lie slain on the ground. This is definitely one of my favourite artworks of the lot.
70. The Fellowship minus Gandalf approach Lothlórien. (I'm not sure who the hooded figure is, but the glowing trees unmistakably indicate that this is Lothlórien.)
71. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas encounter the Rohirrim. Eomer speaks.
72. Feanor's runes.
73. Aragorn and Gandalf inside the Houses of the Sick. Faramir and Eowyn's beds stand opposite each other. Pippin rushes in to deliver the herbs (?) that Aragorn requires to heal Merry.
74. Frodo and Sam make use of the much-lauded rope to traverse the Emyn Muil. They will soon encounter Sméagol in the open.
75. Merry, Pippin and Treebeard. The latter appears to play the flute. I do not remember this scene.
76. The Long-Expected Party, with fireworks in the sky.
77. ?
www.liveinternet.ru/community/2281209/post116167073
I've attempted to identify in brief descriptions every picture from eyesight and memory, but couldn't pin them all down. Here's a list, because I'm German. Additions and corrections welcome:
1. Gandalf and the Balrog fight atop the Zirak-zigil; Gandalf is rescued by Gwaihir and resurrected.
2. A synopsis of the Fellowship's departure from Imladris and Lothlórien, as well as the split after the battle on the Amon Hen. Gandalf appears as the White.
3. The Taming of Sméagol.
4. The Council of Elrond, recalling the Last Supper. The shape of the table is typical of Greco-Roman depictions of all kinds of meals.
5. Frodo (?) getting ready to leave Bag End.
6. Grishnakh has kidnapped Merry and Pippin.
7. Merry and Pippin at Treebeard's house.
8. A wizard in white robes appears before Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli; thinking it is Saruman, they attack. Note the grey nimbus.
9. Gandalf et al. arrive at Isengard, which has already been destroyed. Merry and Pippin welcome them.
10. Gríma Wormtongue throws the Palantír from the Orthanc, missing his target. Pippin (behind the tower) is listening in. The "hand of fate" emerging from the clouds intrigues me.
11. Sam Gamgee as a warrior in Mordor.
12. Gandalf (Mithrandir) and the Witch-king fighting over Minas Tirith.
13. The ship that carries the Ring-Bearers arrives at Tol Eressea (which lies in outer space). The island is depicted as being delivered unto the group. Círdan is shown on the far left.
14. Boromir taking a cue from Saint Sebastian.
15. Left: Theoden (?) duels the Witch-king. (Or is it Frodo putting on the Ring before the Nazgûl atop Weathertop?) Right: possibly Frodo inside Mt. Doom?
16. Gandalf comes to Hobbiton.
17. Unsure. The sitting people might be Merry and Pippin, judging by their size and clothing, behind whom appear the banners of Rohan and Dol Amroth respectively. Someone plays the lyre before the empty seat bearing Aragorn's royal banner.
18. Strider at the Prancing Pony?
19. Sam at Shelob's Lair. The people on the ground are Gondorian guards who fell prey to Shelob.
20. [same as 5]
21. The four hobbits in the company of Tom Bombadil.
22. The Witch-king's horse is swallowed by the rising river near Imladris (I forgot its name) after the hobbits' escape from Weathertop.
23. Unsure. The man in the middle is Gandalf, and Gwaihir looks down from above. The woman (Eowyn?) on the right bears a crown and sword.
24. The Bridge of Khazad-Dum.
25. Left: [same as 22]. Right: Unsure. Possibly Frodo and Sam in disguise as Sauron's soldiers after the events at Cirith Ungol, since they wear Elven mantles.
26. Theoden is slain, which is helpfully announced by the Bayeux Tapestry.
27. The hobbits return from their successful journey and find the Shire very much changed.
28. Elessar and Mithrandir revive the White Tree of Gondor. (In the book, Aragorn merely finds and plants a seed, I think.)
29. Elessar with insignia (the Reforged Sword, the Scepter and the Seeing Stone).
30. Frodo and Sam in Mordor.
31. The western door of Moria.
32. The Five Istari arranged in a Greek cross.
33. ?
34. Frodo (on the left, holding the Phial) and Sam encounter Shelob.
35. Sam finds the naked Frodo in the Tower at Cirith Ungol.
36. Gandalf.
37. ?
38. ?
39. A map of the Amon Hen and surroundings; the mountain is being attacked by orcs.
40. Frodo, Sam and Gollum have set up camp in a lush landscape (probably Ithilien).
41. Thrór's map, which Thorin carried around.
42. Unsure. The sword is glowing, but I'm not sure where exactly this might be. Possibly Sam in the Tower at Cirith Ungol?
43. ?
44. The hobbits exit the Tower at Cirith Ungol. Note the Guardian statues.
45. The Witch-king traversing a bridge. Frodo and Sam are taking cover under their Elven mantles (lower left), identifying the scene as the Witch-king leaving Minas Morgul with his army.
46. Samwise battles Shelob, while Frodo is lying on the ground, poisoned.
47. The siege of Minas Tirith. (The Witch-king descends on a winged beast.)
48. Elessar commands the King of the Oathbreakers to obey.
49. The Fellowship departs from Imladris.
50. ?
51. Faramir welcomes the hobbits into Henneth Annun.
52. An oliphaunt trumpets in triumph. (Ithilien; Sam, Frodo, and several Dúnedain are present.)
53. Frodo, Sam and Gollum in the Marshes.
54. ?
55. Sam helps Frodo climb the slopes of Mt. Doom.
56. Frodo and Sam watch the Orc Camp.
57. Mithrandir and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith. Denethor is seen in a hooded black robe.
58. Sam, Frodo and Gollum scout the Black Gate and find it impassable.
59. Unsure. Mithrandir is fighting a rider emerging from a dragon's maw that is actually a gate while Legolas and Gimli are riding a purple horse on the right, and the banners of the entire West are flown. Probably the battle before the Black Gate, which makes the rider the Mouth of Sauron. (I think he did ride a skeletal creature in the book, but I'm not sure.)
60. Unsure. The four people in the middle appear to be the hobbits, who are rescued by arches (Dúnedain?)
61. The Fellowship's boat ride down the Anduin. The two statues that mark the (former) northern border of Gondor are depicted in a very interesting fashion.
62. I really like this picture. It probably depicts the hobbits on their way to Bree, and is reminiscent of the foreground of Breughel's The Hunters in the Snow (or whatever it is called in English).
63. The Ents march on Isengard, as their banner helpfully announces to the world. Saruman has a nice tan, but his position does not otherwise invite envy. I love the bizarre stop sign on the path to Isengard, which incorporates the White Hand.
64. The horn emerging from the castle and the presence of Ents, as well as Legolas and Gimli, identify this scene as the siege of Helm's Deep.
65. Gandalf breaks Gríma's spell over Theoden and Eowyn. Gríma uncannily resembles the most prominent look of Mephisto from the Hungarian movie adaptation of Klaus Mann's novel.
66. [same as 1]
67. The Crowning of Elessar, now with angels.
68. The Army of the Dead captures the ships of the Corsairs.
69. Merry stabs the Witch-king as Eowyn raises her sword to slay him. The beheaded winged beast, as well as Theoden, lie slain on the ground. This is definitely one of my favourite artworks of the lot.
70. The Fellowship minus Gandalf approach Lothlórien. (I'm not sure who the hooded figure is, but the glowing trees unmistakably indicate that this is Lothlórien.)
71. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas encounter the Rohirrim. Eomer speaks.
72. Feanor's runes.
73. Aragorn and Gandalf inside the Houses of the Sick. Faramir and Eowyn's beds stand opposite each other. Pippin rushes in to deliver the herbs (?) that Aragorn requires to heal Merry.
74. Frodo and Sam make use of the much-lauded rope to traverse the Emyn Muil. They will soon encounter Sméagol in the open.
75. Merry, Pippin and Treebeard. The latter appears to play the flute. I do not remember this scene.
76. The Long-Expected Party, with fireworks in the sky.
77. ?
