Centaurion

oil on board, 47x52cm

Gordon Napier, Jan 2006

It was largely the pun of the title which led to this picture. (I have a weakness for puns, even weak ones). There is also the inherent aptness of it, in this case, as both Roman Centurions and Centaurs from Greek mythology are associated with strength and military power. Once the surreal image came to mind of a Centaur in the Roman army it has to be painted. (I dare say others have arrived at the same idea independently). If I paint another version of this, I will improve the composition considerably, making it more dramatic, and zoom out from the figure to show all of him, down to his hoofs.