final piece for a painting class we had to pick a person who influenced history. i picked Ivan The Terrible, Grand Prince of Moscow from 1547 to 1584.
Ivan's rule was interesting in that its first half was prosperous, but the second was one of Russia's darkest times.
Russia saw a time of peace, enriched trade and culture when Ivan first took the throne. the famous St Basil Cathedral was built during this time, and many Russians were living a luxurious and happy life.
but the threat of war and a terrible illness that almost killed Ivan and warped his mind in the 1550's would flip everything upside down. during this time, he became increasingly paranoid and delusional, more in fear of his own life than his people as plague, famine and raiders literally burned most of Russia (and Moscow itself) to the ground. during this time Ivan accidentally killed his own son in a fit of rage, leaving his younger mentally ill son to take his place on the throne. he would prove to be a very unfit leader to clean up the mess his father left behind.
Ivan IV was a tragic figure. his parents died at a very young age, and some argue he never fully recovered from the illness that almost killed him. here in this picture we see him at the end of his life.
it is said that he died during a game of chess.
please note - i cannot reply to your comments. i am banned from commenting forever, or something. :)
Comments
clipnotdone Says:
I love this all over, its just fucking awesome.
Shadow Dinosaur Says:
The color and the concept is very powerful! Well done!
wulfen Says:
he was playing one big-ass chess game.
i kid
nice work. i really like this.
wulfen Says:
wow he was playing one big-ass game of chess!
i kid
nice work. i really like this and the symbolism in the down bloody king piece.
Tyokio Says:
imagine if he died in that pose, with that expression.. you'd never enter the room D:
The Love is Warrior Says:
Hey, this came out pretty awesome. I like how dark you dropped the right side with the queen.
Galloglasses Says:
Very well thought out piece. Despite his notoriety, Ivan's one of the lesser known Players in World History, and I was surprised to see him drawn at all let alone have so much work put into him.
I really like the wonderful transitory atmosphere of it, how Russia went from the Shiny city on the hill to a pit in the space of this one man's lifetime. Well Done.
Psi43 Says:
you already know what I think of it, amazing work.
Natsuo Says:
Even though you can't comment back;
I love this picture.
And all of your pictures.
'Nuff said.
You do always tend to have a unique way of coloring.