The Young King

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 1981

The Young King: A Vision of Youth and Royalty

This week, I delved into an exploration of my artwork titled "The Young King." Through this detailed analysis, I aim to uncover the layers of youth and royalty embedded within its composition, inviting my audience to peer deeper into the essence of what makes this artwork profoundly significant.

Unveiling Youth

What marks the figure before us as a young man? His visage blooms with the vibrancy of youth—rugged black hair and a beard, lips a bold red revealing a white smile, skin glowing with health, and eyes that sparkle with an unwavering confidence. This portrayal isn't just about the physical attributes; it's the composition's youthful spirit that captivates us. The image radiates balance and vitality, from the dual red spheres adorning his head and beard to the harmonious reflection of the headdress's eyes with his own, down to the symbolic markings on his cheeks. Each element contributes to a narrative of health and vigor.

Royalty Defined

How do we discern his kingship? Beyond the assertive gaze that seems to question, observe, and understand all, it's his attire that speaks. Crimson and royal blue are colors of sovereignty. The headdress is not merely an accessory; it's a testament to his authority. This balanced interplay of spheres and eyes once more whispers a tale of calm confidence, a signature of true leadership.

Deciphering Symbols

The symbols of the king demand our attention. Prominent among them is the bird crown, a motif echoing the power and mystique of avian crowns from diverse cultures—from Egypt's ancient dynasties to the ceremonial attire of the dowager empress of China, and even the ornate bird helmet of Bhutan's monarchy. This allusion to flight symbolizes a transcendence beyond the ordinary, a reach for the extraordinary.

The concentric circles, present in both the headdress and beard, are not random; their colors—red, yellow, black, and green—are a deliberate choice, each pair exuding balance and echoing a lineage of power that traces back to the use of precious stones like lapis lazuli and carnelian in ancient Egypt. These circles are more than decorative; they are emblems of cyclical power and eternal return.

A Personal Journey Intersected

As this image took shape, so did a pivotal chapter in my life. Serving as the head of fundraising and publicity for one of the United States' largest art museums, I celebrated the launch of a solo museum exhibition that garnered acclaim from the most coveted critics. This professional high was punctuated by a whimsical realization overheard from my secretary, “You can’t interview anybody who shows here.  They are all dead!”

This realization came just as I was embarking on a new adventure, stepping into a role at one of the world's most prestigious museums. However, life's unpredictable nature soon became evident through a sudden illness—a rare bacteria, unknown in New York until then, confined me to a hospital bed. It was here, in this unlikely sanctuary, that the young king came to life through my sketches, a creative testament to resilience and the enduring power of art to heal and inspire.

Life Lesson: The Duality of Existence

The creation of "The Young King" during a time of personal adversity underscores a profound life lesson: in the duality of existence, beauty and growth often emerge from the depths of challenge and change. Just as the young king embodies the virtues of youth and leadership, symbolizing power and vision, so too does our journey through life present us with moments where we must navigate the dichotomy of struggle and triumph. This experience reminded me that creativity can flourish under constraint, and adversity can become a crucible for transformation and insight. In recognizing the transient nature of both our challenges and our successes, we find the resilience to continue our creative pursuits and the courage to embrace the unknown paths ahead.