Pliny's Vigilance

Date: 2014

Medium: o/c

Size: 60" x 36"

Description:

“Pliny’s Vigilance”, oil on canvas, 60” x 36

Who is Pliny?  Pliny the Elder was a Roman admiral and naturalist.  In his book, Naturalis Historia, published in circa. 77 A.D., Pliny stated that cranes maintained vigilance as night watchman by holding a stone in their claw, should it doze off, dropping the stone would startle it awake.  I came across this little known piece of lore as I researched cranes in mythology to find a special setting for this White-napped Crane of Asia.

My crane, standing on a Chinese rug draped over a lookout platform, is without a stone.  Is the night vigil over or awkwardly interrupted?

Corporate Collection