CHERUB WITH THE HEMATITE EYE 1972

Ernst Fuchs painted 'Cherub with the Hematite Eye' using oil on canvas, employing materials and methods rooted in the Renaissance tradition. Look closely, and you can see how Fuchs builds up layers of translucent glazes, a technique favored by the Old Masters to achieve luminous effects. This process is slow and meticulous, requiring great patience and control. The labor involved is considerable, a far cry from the mass-produced imagery we are so accustomed to. But Fuchs gives this time-honored approach a decidedly modern twist. The cherub’s face isn't idealized, as in Renaissance painting, but appears almost eroded, reflecting a contemporary sense of fragmentation. Note the use of hematite for the eye. A mineral associated with grounding and protection, it adds a mystical dimension to the work. Ultimately, ‘Cherub with the Hematite Eye’ challenges us to consider the relationship between tradition and innovation, fine art and craft, and the enduring power of materials to convey meaning.