Donato Giancola - The Taming Of Smeagol
Masterful, strangely disturbing, vividly sexual. These things I would not usually associate with Gollum.
From Giancola’s website:
The relationship of Frodo and Gollum, the most psychological and symbolic in The Lord of the Rings, reveals a dark labyrinth of choices and split personalities. On the surface Gollum shows what Frodo could become should he succumb to the ring’s powerful temptations, but by sparing Gollum and mastering his own temptations, Frodo chooses his own salvation, both body and soul. This painting echoes Judas’ cruel and tender kiss, identifying the savior, since ultimately and unexpectedly, Frodo’s conflicted mercy leads to the unwilling sacrifice of Smeagol, which heals all Middle-earth.
(Source: tolkien-for-steve-guildford, via boffingbyron)
