CRUSADERS
Vladimir Kush
14.5" x 29"
Limited Edition Giclee Canvas: 250

Looking at the painting, the spectator plunges into the world of ancient gospel symbols. Central of them is fish, a holy symbol of Jesus. Early Christians used the Greek word ichthus, “fish,” as the abbreviation of the formula “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.” The crusaders appear before us in a “fish” battle array. We could recall the phalanx of Alexander the Great or the “swine” array of Vikings and German knights. Still, the shields of warriors are painted not red - the color of battle rage - but blue reflecting the peaceful blueness of sea and sky. And in banks of clouds hovering over the Sea of Galilee we could guess the airy palaces and towers of Heavenly Jerusalem.