The White Rose of Paradise

"The White Rose of Paradise"
From Dante's Divine Comedy, "Paradiso"
August 31st, 2009
Acrylics on canvas

I did this for a summer homework assignment. We had to do a three part series of omething so I was going to do one piece each from Dante's divine Comedy. I didn't do the other two, I just did Paradiso. My painting is obviously very blatantly based off of Gustave Dore's version of the White Rose. Here: [link]

I had a very difficult time with the clouds. They looked worse before, I promise. Everyone thought they were hills. For the life of me I just could not make the darn things look like clouds. I think it was because my paint brushes were extremely stiff. Like, practically turned to plastic because of the acrylics stiff.

O splendour of God! by means of which I saw
The lofty triumph of the realm veracious,
Give me the power to say how it I saw!

There is a light above, which visible
Makes the Creator unto every creature,
Who only in beholding Him has peace,

And it expands itself in circular form
To such extent, that its circumference
Would be too large a girdle for the sun.

The semblance of it is all made of rays
Reflected from the top of Primal Motion,
Which takes therefrom vitality and power.

And as a hill in water at its base
Mirrors itself, as if to see its beauty
When affluent most in verdure and in flowers,

So, ranged aloft all round about the light,
Mirrored I saw in more ranks than a thousand
All who above there have from us returned.

And if the lowest row collect within it
So great a light, how vast the amplitude
Is of this Rose in its extremest leaves!

My vision in the vastness and the height
Lost not itself, but comprehended all
The quantity and quality of that gladness.

There near and far nor add nor take away;
For there where God immediately doth govern,
The natural law in naught is relevant.

Into the yellow of the Rose Eternal
That spreads, and multiplies, and breathes an odour
Of praise unto the ever-vernal Sun,

As one who silent is and fain would speak,
Me Beatrice drew on, and said: "Behold
Of the white stoles how vast the convent is!

Behold how vast the circuit of our city!
Behold our seats so filled to overflowing,
That here henceforward are few people wanting!

- Canto XXX, "Paradiso" by Dante, translated from Italian by Henry Longfellow