The Phoenix Bird

The Phoenix in Black & white

I tend to favour ink, graphite and charcoal drawings, for a few reasons. With charcoal and graphite we can obtain a wide range of tonal value, in addition I also love plane ink drawings as they provide a much simpler and cleaner overview of the subject/object. Overall, I find that black and white images evoke a unique emotional tone, tapping into nostalgia or emphasising the essence of a subject’s character. The absence of colour eliminates distractions, offering a clearer, more focused perspective on the subject at hand.

The Phoenix

My drawing of the Phoenix bird was one of the pieces I finished with a high contrast. This drawing was inspired by the writings of the early church Fathers, Clement of Rome, which is estimated to be written between AD 60-100. In chapter 25, Clement not only refers to the bird by name but then proceeds to tell his audience the following:

“When the time of its dissolution and death arrives, it makes for itself a coffin-like nest of frankincense and myrrh and the other spices, into which, its time being completed, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays, a certain worm is born, which is nourished by the juices of the dead bird and eventually grows wings. Then, when it has grown strong, it takes up that coffin-like nest containing the bones of its parent, and carrying them away, it makes its way from the country of Arabia to Egypt, to the city called Hierapolis. There, in broad daylight, in the sight of all, it flies to the altar of the sun and deposits them there, and then it sets out on its return” Chapter 25:2-4

Interestingly, Clement uses this description as a symbolic representation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, pointing to it as an example witnessed in the nature around him. In addition, it’s also worth noting the striking similarities between the Frankincense and Myrrh which Christ also received for his birth into the world.  Some translation of the Biblical text of Job (said to be written in before 600BC), also refer to the same mystical, Pheonix bird: then I thought, “I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix” NRS Job 29:18.

It’s all fascinating isn’t it!?

The illustration

This illustration shows the phoenix on the altar of the sun, presenting the nest and the skeletal remains of its ancestor. Frankincense and Myrrh are seen scattered on the alter as the bird drops its nest. The drawing was set against a completely black background which was achieved with oil-based charcoal. The high contrast image also emphasises the high-rise sun, lighting up the left side of the sun-alter.