This Cornwall painting is a piece of original art painted with acrylic on board with gold and silver leaf by Cornish artist John Dyer.
The stunning stone circle of Boscawen-Ûn near Penzance is mesmerising and has inspired artist John Dyer to make this extraordinary painting that celebrates Cornwall's ancient bronze age history, the cycle of the seasons and family love.
The painting depicts Samhain, which is the Celtic pagan festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter on October 31st when the sun sets between the centre and quartz stones. The centre stone has two petroglyph carvings at the base of green stone axe heads, these are very unusual and can also be found at Stonehenge. These petroglyph axe markings are illuminated at the summer solstice sunrise. Green stone axes would have been highly prized in the bronze age.
These petroglyphs in the centre stone have inspired the artist to include shooting stars in the form of green stone axes and a triangular lighter patch of green in the foreground that lines up with the setting sun and draws our eye to the centre stone.
Cornish choughs join the family who are exploring the stone circle and the couple in the centre hold hands and feel the ancient energy and connection to this special place.
The painting features gold and silver leaf, which has been applied to the stars, the spiral of the setting sun, and to the light that catches the stones. The painting literally twinkles as you move past it and changes with the light, illuminating the stars and stones. To protect the paintings gilding it has been varnished with a two layer protective gloss UV varnish and is supplied framed and ready to hang.
This is a very beautiful and special contemporary painting of Cornwall that captures the narrative, mystery, and beauty of this bronze age landscape so well and is a key painting in the artist's career.
This piece of Cornish art, 'Samhain Lovers, Boscawen-Ûn, Penwith' by John Dyer, and other original paintings of Cornwall that are for sale on our online Cornwall art gallery, can be purchased securely online. We provide free worldwide delivery to your door.
| Description | Framed Original Painting |
| Artist | Cornish Artist John Dyer (born 1968) |
| Signed by the Artist | Signed by John Dyer |
| Painting size | 24 x 36 inches |
| Medium | Acrylic on board with gold and silver leaf. Finished with a gloss UV varnish to protect the gold and silver. |
| Framed size | 32 x 44 inches |
| Frame type | John Dyer: In the 1950s simple neutral frames became popular for St Ives artists. John chooses an off-white so the lightest tones appear in the painting. The moulding is a variation of 'Salvator Rosa' from Italy. Hand finished in almond white paint. |
| Ready to hang | Strung with picture cord and ready to hang |
Artist Information Links
Artist Chronology I Paintings in Public Collections I View John Dyer's Latest Paintings
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