Alexander Black Painting

Experience the paintings and essays of artist, writer and explorer Alexander Black.

48 X 36 In. Walnut Oil on Linen

LXXVII. LEDA
Jupiter, changed into a swan, loved Leda near the river Eurotas, and from that embrace she bore Pollux and Helen; to Tyndareus she bore Castor and Clytemnestra.

LXXVIII. TYNDAREUS
Tyndareus, son of Oebalus, by Leda, daughter of Thestius,  became father of Clytemnestra and Helen; he gave Clytemnestra in marriage to Agamemnon, son of Atreus. Because of her exceeding beauty many suitors from many states sought Helen in marriage.

HYGINUS, FABULAE LXXVII - LXXVIII

48 X 48 in. Walnut Oil on Linen

Polyphemos, the Kyklops whose power is greatest among the Kyklopes race and whose ancestry is more than human; his mother was the nymphe Thoosa, child of Phorkys the lord of the barren sea, and she lay with Poseidon within her arching caverns.

HOMER, ODYSSEY 1.68FF

36 x 48 in. Walnut Oil On Linen

Pomona flourisht in those times of ease: 
Of all the Latian Hamadryades,
None fruitfull Hort-yards held in more repute; 
Or tooke more care to propagate their fruit. 
Thereof so nam'd. Nor streames, nor shadie groues, But trees producing generous burdens loues,
Her hand a hooke, and not a iauelin bare:
Now prunes luxurious twigs, and boughes that dare Transcend their bounds: now slits the barke, the bud Inserts; inforc't to nurse anothers brood.
Nor suffers them to suffer thirst, but brings
To moisture-sucking roots, soft-sliding Springs.
Such her delight, her care. No thoughts extend
To loues vnknowne desires.

OVID'S METAMORPHOSIS - BOOK XIV

36 x 48 in. Walnut Oil and 24K Gold on Linen

CCLI. THOSE WHO, BY PERMISSION OF THE PARCAE, RETURNED FROM THE LOWER WORLD

Father Liber; he descended for Semele, his mother, daughter of Cadmus.

HYGINUS, FABULAE CCLI

12 x 12 in. Walnut Oil and 24K Gold on Mahogany Panel

5 X 4 in. Walnut Oil on Linen

Then, Venus sonne; Selfe-praysed euer bee:
All may thy Bowe transfixe, as mine shall thee.
So farre as Gods exceed all earthly powr's;
So much thy glorie is exceld by ours.

OVID'S METAMORPHOSIS - BOOK I

40 x 30 in. Walnut Oil on Canvas

For ô, I frye! despisd affection burnes
With greater rage: my bulke to Aetna turnes,
And all her flames are in my bosome pent:
Yet Galatea, wilt not thou relent.

OVID'S METAMORPHOSIS - BOOK XIII

12 x 9 in. Walnut Oil on Canvas

36 x 24 in. Oil on Canvas