The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Revelation 6:1-8:13
Donald Jackson
Scribe: Donald Jackson
Vellum, ink, paint, gold, holographic foil
"In Revelation, the apocalyptic events
soon to take place on earth are written on a scroll
secured with seven seals.
A slain lamb opens each seal introducing
a new stage of God's judgment on earth.
The first four seals release
the horsemen of the Apocalypse,
figures which have been portrayed in Christian art
throughout the centuries.
The white horse, although difficult
to specify represents war.
The red horse complemented by a rider
and a huge sword, stands for death,
which results in war.
The black horse, with the scale in the rider's hand
to measure food rations, is famine,
a byproduct of war.
The green horse signifies death and disease
the result of famine.
Suffering and death cannot be separated from life,
but they do not have the last word
as the entire book shows.
In this illumination, Donald Jackson
has turned the Technicolor spectrum
up to full volume.
The slain lamb breaks the seals
releasing the havoc of the four horsemen.
The horses are visually fused with representations
of present day cavalry-tanks.
Oil rigs loom in the background
symbolizing the power of greed
and the destructive exploitation
which occurs when love of the earth
and its people is set aside for short term gain.
Of the seven seals represented,
four have already been broken
and predatory insects plague the scene.
A sense of weight within the chaos
suggests an imminent slide down
from Heaven toward earth."
Lord, on some days the ravage
of the earth makes us feel
like the destruction beckon has begun.
Bring us solace that you never leave us,
no matter what is happening around us.
Amen.
Revelation 6:1-8:13
Donald Jackson
Scribe: Donald Jackson
Vellum, ink, paint, gold, holographic foil
"In Revelation, the apocalyptic events
soon to take place on earth are written on a scroll
secured with seven seals.
A slain lamb opens each seal introducing
a new stage of God's judgment on earth.
The first four seals release
the horsemen of the Apocalypse,
figures which have been portrayed in Christian art
throughout the centuries.
The white horse, although difficult
to specify represents war.
The red horse complemented by a rider
and a huge sword, stands for death,
which results in war.
The black horse, with the scale in the rider's hand
to measure food rations, is famine,
a byproduct of war.
The green horse signifies death and disease
the result of famine.
Suffering and death cannot be separated from life,
but they do not have the last word
as the entire book shows.
In this illumination, Donald Jackson
has turned the Technicolor spectrum
up to full volume.
The slain lamb breaks the seals
releasing the havoc of the four horsemen.
The horses are visually fused with representations
of present day cavalry-tanks.
Oil rigs loom in the background
symbolizing the power of greed
and the destructive exploitation
which occurs when love of the earth
and its people is set aside for short term gain.
Of the seven seals represented,
four have already been broken
and predatory insects plague the scene.
A sense of weight within the chaos
suggests an imminent slide down
from Heaven toward earth."
Lord, on some days the ravage
of the earth makes us feel
like the destruction beckon has begun.
Bring us solace that you never leave us,
no matter what is happening around us.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for adding your thoughts and comments- they are greatly appreciated.