This painting is part of a series of small studies for a large-scale japanese-style folding screen. The theme is the Hero's journey - the immersion into the inner self, the struggle to overcome all obstacles that the Hero meets throughout his quests, the attainment of a new and higher sense of self and the Hero's return back to his initial point of departure - as a rite of initiation.  
In this particular work the Hero under the guise of the Hermit is depicted in contemplation right before departing upon his own pilgrimage. 
 
Ink, egg-tempera and gold leaf
50 x 18 cm
2018