Sasha Chaitow: “Exhortation” (Son of Prometheus Illustration)

From the illustration description in Son of Prometheus:

The illustration is a symbolic representation of the oft-quoted excerpt from Péladan’s call to artists contained in the exhibition catalogue for the first Rosicrucian Salon in 1892. The writing on the drawing repeats the quote in French:

“Artist, you are a priest: Art is the great mystery, and, if your efforts result in a masterpiece, a ray of divinity will descend as if on an altar. Artist, you are a king: Art is the true empire, if your hand draws a perfect line, the cherubim themselves will descend to revel in their reflection. Spiritual design, a line of the soul, form of understanding, you make our dreams flesh. Artist, you are a mage: Art is the great mystery, it only proves our immortality.”

The illustration depicts an androgynous artist creating an equally androgynous being, reflecting Péladan’s concepts of the creation of humanity by angels (Chapter 4), the ensoulment of art, and the artist-initiate becoming a creator in their own right. The painted being communes directly with the higher realms, becoming ensouled and simultaneously radiating the celestial inspiration in the process.

Available in 4 highly limited Editions:

1 Original pen and ink freehand illustration in black and white by Sasha Chaitow on Saunders Waterford rough Watercolour paper, 31×41 cm as reprinted in Son of Prometheus: The Life and Work of Joséphin Péladan; Sigilized by the artist.

Only 1 print fully hand-colored in antique, drawing, and calligraphy inks by Sasha Chaitow on smooth watercolour paper, c.30×42 cm. Signed, numbered*, dated by the artist.

Only 1 print dichromatically hand-colored (red + gold) in antique, drawing, and calligraphy inks by Sasha Chaitow on smooth watercolour paper, c.30×42 cm. Signed, numbered*, dated by the artist.

3 black and white prints on smooth watercolour paper, c.30×42 cm. Signed, numbered*, dated by the artist.

* numbered as part of one of seven print sets, i.e. 3/7, 4/7, 5/7 (black and white), 6/7 (diachromatic) or 7/7 (fully colored). Print sets 1 and 2 are privately owned and currently not for sale.