This painting, “The Question of Seven – Sic at non” is my attempt to bridge, connect, and even confront these historical styles with the contemporary language of abstraction and fantasy.
My deepest inspiration lies in the echoes of the past—the profound visions, intricate depictions, and technical mastery of the Old Masters. I approach the history of art not as a museum, but as a living dialogue, and I am endlessly fascinated by the solemn power of the Mediterranean Romanesque and the dramatic energy of the Gothic style.
The first concept was the use of diverse colours of tempera paints to create an abstract background divided into eight sections. After establishing the main hues and visions for a picture’s section, a representation section has developed. And of course, I wanted to add ancient scripts.
The 7 figures already depicted in my other work will likely come back again, in another configuration and transformation.
Left Panel: Abstract Art and Ancient Writings
The left side of the painting features vibrant mossy greens, bright yellows, and deep ochre. At the top, intricate scripts or symbols in various languages resemble ancient texts or illuminated manuscripts. Below, an abstract, forest-like landscape appears, with strong outlines reminiscent of medieval tapestries or cave paintings. The texture is layered, suggesting deep time and hidden knowledge. The lower section shifts to a bright, acidic yellow background, accented by a triangular lace-like pattern that acts as a structural root or energy flow.
Right Panel: Figurative Narrative and Mythical Space
The right side of the painting has a cooler, more dramatic atmosphere. The upper part is a swirling spectrum of deep blues and teals, featuring fragmented Latin text—specifically, the bold letters “Sic at non” and the year “Anno Domini 2025”.
The central focus is a figurative scene encased in a roughly hewn, pinkish grotto or cave opening. Seven figures, primarily women, are grouped. Their stylised expressive faces and elongated, vertically striped robes (in deep reds, oranges, and greens) evoke the solemnity and patterning of Romanesque fresco figures. They appear engaged in hushed, intense conversation or confrontation. One figure, dressed in solid black, acts as a visual anchor and point of contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye into the emotional core of the group.
Below this narrative, the artwork transitions into a dense, dark forest or tree structure, characterized by a complex stippled texture of green and black circles, which roots the fantastical scene in a tangible, earthly form.