Blood Debt

A canopy outlined with gold fringe and crowned with a golden knight’s helmet hangs as a ceremonial baldequin as part of a mise en scène of victorious conquering. Within, a battle standard emblazoned with a golden lion and eight crosses has been thrust into a mound of earth. The island of earth is surrounded by blue and gold patterned water, and dozens of gold scimitars lay scattered below. To the side, a well-dressed Renaissance woman demurely looks away. In the upper right corner a bulbous skull is set on a golden shield.

Egyptian bark paper, paper, glue

W. 15 in., H. 23 in.

2022