1.12.11

TONSURE of ST. PETER

This drawing depicts an event described in the Golden Legend, in which the pagans of Antioch mocked St. Peter by forcibly shaving the top of his head. Followers of St. Peter shaved their heads in imitation, turning a mark of shame into a mark of honor and originating the tradition of clerical tonsure. Surrounding this central scene are several events associated with tonsure in mediaeval exegetical texts: St. Paul cutting off his hair at Cenchrea; Ezekiel shearing, dividing, burning, chopping and scattering his hair to prophecy the destruction of Jerusalem; and Christ wearing the Crown of Thorns.

It was commissioned to commemorate the tonsuring of a class of seminarians of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter this past October. A signed, framed giclée print of the drawing was gifted from the class to Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, who celebrated the ceremony.

TONSURE 1


The drawing was done on goatskin. I scanned it at two stages; the above scan was made to prepare giclée prints. These prints are available for sale for $80 each. Each is signed and measures 8" x 12".

The below scan was made after I added gold and palladium leaf to the original.

TONSURE 2


www.danielmitsui.com

4 comments:

Sophie said...

beautifully rich and detailed! Did you do the calligraphy too?

Daniel Mitsui said...

Yes, I did.

Joe Oliveri said...

Simply exquisite work as always, Mr. Mitsui.

Anthony VanArsdale said...

I don't know how you do it. Beautiful!