Robert Jones's Blog, page 11

Mythology On Canvas: Mythological Model (2)

The early Pre-Raphaelites allegedly had a fancy for using working class women as models and taking them on as their mistresses. I find myself asking “why this socio-economic group?” Perhaps it had to do with economic vulnerability and the likelihood of compliance. Edward Burne-Jones came along a bit later and continued this dubious tradition with … Continue reading Mythology On Canvas: Mythological Model (2) →

The legend hails from northern seas, a tale that few know...

The legend hails from northern seas, a tale that few know well, Where faith and fear blow freely on the gray and changing swell. Mark well the drift of this account, and come to understand That humble and heroic things go often hand in hand. The Kraken, by Robert L. Jones, III, and illustrated by … Continue reading →

“What of that?” the Spirit answered. Go fulfill your task...

“What of that?” the Spirit answered. Go fulfill your task, and then See what bitter fate awaits you. Worse has come to better men.” The Staff in the Tree is an epic poem set in a future landscape inhabited by mythological beasts and spirits. Through a series of encounters with these creatures and their master, … Continue reading →

Mythology on Canvas: Mythological Model (1)

Maria Zambaco is one of the most (perhaps the most) recognizable models of the Pre-Raphaelites. She sat for some portraits by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, one of the founding Pre-Raphaelite painters. An example is shown below. Here is another striking image in black and white by the same artist: But her more famous exposure (no pun … Continue reading Mythology on Canvas: Mythological Model (1) →

Mythological Beasts And Spirits: Griffin

  My brother-in-law, James P. Wood, made the above illustration to go with a scene from my first story poem, The Kraken, in which the main character has an encounter with the Griffin King. I obviously borrowed this creature from existing mythology and medieval heraldry, and it appears in historical and current coats of arms, two … Continue reading Mythological Beasts And Spirits: Griffin →

Mythological Beasts And Spirits: Chimera

The original Chimera is a creature from Greco Roman mythology which has the head of a lion, the head (or body) of a goat, and the tail of a serpent (often represented with a serpent’s head). The earliest reference we have is from the Iliad by Homer. Shown below is an intriguing Etruscan bronze, the … Continue reading Mythological Beasts And Spirits: Chimera →

Mythological Beasts and Spirits: The Staff in the Tree

While the topic of mythological beasts and spirits is of genuine interest to me, I think it is obvious by now that I have been using it to shill (shamelessly, I might add) my own poem, The Staff in the Tree. The poem is now available on Amazon. This week’s post is a summary of … Continue reading Mythological Beasts and Spirits: The Staff in the Tree →

Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Dryad

Dryads are among my favorite characters from mythology and folklore. From Greek mythology to modern times, their interpretations in art and literature are varied. They are tree spirits, certain versions of which can emerge from their arboreal homes as human beings. Most of the representations I have found are female. In other versions, they are … Continue reading Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Dryad →

Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Naiad

This is another spiritual being from mythology and folklore which makes my imagination run. So much has been and can be done with Naiads. In Greek mythology, they were water nymphs who were particularly associated with bodies of freshwater such as rivers and streams. Certain of them were among the various classes of nymphs and … Continue reading Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Naiad →

Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Sprite

Sprites are spirits or fairies of various sorts. They are often identified with certain geographies or habitats such as water and forests. In my mind, it is hard to separate them cleanly from such beings as naiads, dryads, and nymphs. They are not always shown as feminine in gender. The following painting by Ernst Josephson … Continue reading Mythological Beasts and Spirits: Sprite →