Poseidon Triptych.
This piece is the first formal triptych in the series and is my latest piece. The central figure is a prominent one and it is a representation of the Greek god Poseidon. While the side panels represent a few of the attributes associated with him.
Mythos:
Poseidon is a primary god in the Greek pantheon. He and his brothers and sisters start as a collection of 6 and include figures like Hera and Zeus. They were each divinely powerful in their own domains. Poseidon’s domain was the sea but also any body of inland water such as a lake, river or pond. He is also associated with earthquakes, storms and Horses. He is also the main nemesis of Odysseus in the famous story the Odyssey.
A triptych is an art piece that has 3 distinct panels that also function together.
the word triptych also comes from the Greek “triptychos” meaning tri-fold.
using a Greek figure as the first in the series is fitting.
Triptych:
Inspirations and Symbolism:
The Poseidon in the center is my interpretation of the famous Neptune sculpture by Lambert-Sigisbert Adam (1700–1759).
There are both seaweeds and cat-tails in his crown to represent the multitude of waters under his control.
The side panels represent the other associations of Poseidon. The ship at the bottom of the sea and the sea-horses. The horses are a beautiful creation and also a great destructive force.
Other Symbols:
The trident is the main weapon associated with Poseidon. the three points on the bottom right corner represent that.
On the left a simple but elegant seashell associated with life and regrowth.