The opposite three figures in the Orestian Trilogy. Here we have, reading left to right, Cassandra, Aegisthos and Clytemnestra.

Cassandra was a prophetess who had been cursed by Apollo in that nobody believed her prophesies, even though they all turned out to be true. She was I think in a bit of a "Monty Python" situation. She had been brought back to Mycenae as a trophy/slave from Troy by Agamemnon and in the play she even prophesied her own death and the manner of it.

Aegisthos was promised the throne by Clytemnestra provided he help her assasinate her husband. This he did but was really only a puppet king thereby. He carries his bronze sword, he is not entirely blameless.

Clytemnestra has blood on her hands. She not only murdered her husband but she beheaded Cassandra and butchered all the children Cassandra had by Agamemnon. She is downcast. Her only son will avenge his father's murder.

Enough of the slaughter and mayhem.

These three images are gouache on paper and each is 30 cm (12") high. This is also experimental work to see how the paintings might look. The idea is to have the triptychs facing each other so that Agamemnon is opposite Clytemnestra; Aegisthos is opposite Electra; Cassandra is opposite Orestes. Note the backgrounds are pale towards the left and dark towards the right. This is to set the mood. Note the Agamemnon/Electra/Orestes group are the opposite way, darkness to the left.

How big to make the final pieces? I put it to some of the others in the studio and the consensus was that I should make a six foot tall mock-up on paper of one figure and try a four footer on another and see how they work. So that will be the next stage. I'll probably get down to it in the New Year. We are all rather busy in the studio with Christmas card making. Artists always make their own.

Well, we do!