Hic Est Rex Illuminati Mundi by Mondwin
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
First of all be understanding, drawing quality is not great because of reduced size and quality to be within the limits of Renderosity. As other times in the past, the title is not correct Latin because I have privileged the musicality rather than grammar.
Along human history many people aspired to global power, to be 'The King of the World'. Many historical figures were considered (or considered themselves) as King of the World: from Ancient Egyptian Pharaos to Roman Emperor, Middle Age kings and Queen Victoria. In the past, the only limitation in achieving this goal was the impossibility of doing so (mainly due technology and social limitations, but not only). Today is another story. Globalization can be seen as a stage in the worldwide dominance of an elite or a single man. Today, technology allows to do anything, anywhere in the world. Nations, ethnic groups, peoples, traditions are no more obstacles for economic and political activities. Even more than in the past, them are only tools used and abused for PRIVATE and PERSONAL purposes by powerful people.
I will spare you the Conspiracy Theories. You can believe it or not. The main fact is another: anyone who has the material ability to exercise power, leadership and authority, he will do it. This is part of human being. But:
- What is the limit between authority or leadership and despotism?
- Or between cultural influence and domination?
- Or between the global market (for all people) and financial speculation (for elite only)?
And so on.
I also have another question/observation to do, and this is the main idea of my picture above. Consider for a moment the idea of 'The King of the World' (if it is real or impossible, now it is not conclusive). I believe that the power of 'The King of the World' is only apparent. Perhaps we are his subjects (and prisoners), but he also is a prisoner (and subject)... of the world.
Someone (maybe) governs the fate of the world, but the world is not what we think, not only. If you remember my previous post about Anima Mundi and related consideration, you can understand the fate of the world is simply beyond all human possibilities. Do you really think that one or more men may decide in place of Mother Nature or God? Who are we to decide in place of Mother Nature or God?
(Note: for the background I have used one of the many available photos of famous 'Pillars of Creations' part of the Eagle nabula. For more info start from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillars_of_Creation
and many other web sites. The meaning of my choice is evident: in a similar place began the history of the Earth, the world which everyone wants to dominate. But still you have to ask yourselves about immense forces of the creation. Really men can dominate these forces?)
Away from any consideration, there is a fundamental difference between the past ages and the present day (and a dark future): in past ages few people wanted to become King of the World, today there are so many ... too many.
So I have to repeat what I wrote for my previous work:
Each of us, honestly, knows or should know the answer. Maybe it's time to follow the heart, to use the reason, not the cruelty and abuse. It is time to think about, it is time to build our future not to destroy it.

Comments (264)
Very well done and thought provoking.
this is an impressive drawing. Great
Very impressive and interesting point of view !!!
A very impressive and thought- provoking artwork, Whylma!
A most wonderful work beautifully composed and explained my friend!!
A very powerful image that has been very well put together, and very interesting intro, it all makes the onlooker think a bit harder. Wonderful, hugs Jane xx
Beautiful work my frend!
Hello Whylma, been a year already? Great image as always. My only suggestion would have been a less dramatic savage male character is more likely today to be a man in a Business Suit..lol. Or maybe a Mad Scientist in a Lab coat. Even a Nurd Hacker in a Tee-Shirt. As you said, many folks can have the power nowadays to dominate the world, but very few could handle the back wash. Bravo and hugs from Dave :^)
TERRIFIC IMAGE
Awesome render.
Great narrative and image. :-) The colors in the image are fantastic! I like the theme, also, very much. It is time to build our future, not destroy it.
What a wonderful post for this year Whylma. I love all you wrote and agree 100%. Your image is fantastic, you must zoom in to see all those wonderful details on the skin and the chained world. Xcellent render for this year. Like always to my FAVS and Wall. Antonio
Really great and fantastic image! Wonderful pose and expression!! Very creative and impressive, work...so beautiful!!!
You certainly force us to think, don't you? Personally, I think agriculture was just about the biggest mistake humanity ever made. The Great Mother gave us deer and fish in the rivers and wild roots and berries to feed ourselves...such gifts should have been enough. But then, about 10,000, a few of us started scratching her skin to find more...then, those with strong personalities (the "alpha males") figured that by hoarding the surplus, they could control everyone around them - and even become like unto gods themselves. I think the story of Cain in Abel in the book of Genesis is a metaphorical tale about the conflict between herders/hunters/gatherers and the new agriculturalists. To make a long story short, this was the beginning of the "Domination Society" and all the diseases that have resulted. Thom Hartmann has had some interesting things to say about the subject... I also think that greed and lust for power is an addiction, just like alcoholism, drug dependency, gambling, compulsive shopping...you name it. And right now, the world is under the control of these addicts, who by right should be in rehab...
A most superbly well done annual image! Your statements resound with the truth of ages!
Excellent render
A great image, and an interesting and thought provoking read.!!
Great style and pose, excellent piece. Come sempre BRAVISSIMA :))
A great concept and beautiful colours. Wonderful work!! :)
very good image erland
So wonderfully said! Even those walking a spiritual path are not blind to the current "realities" of life on planet earth. It seems that people are either suffering or in complete and total denial of the rampant abuses of power happening everywhere. They sit there watching Survivor, or Honey Boo boo, or some other ridiculous, time wasting, soul numbing television show, or are sucked into the internet (I am included in this last one myself on occasion), and they just trudge on. I myself try to stay positive, to look at the sun and feel it kiss my face, feel the wind in my hair, and to walk gently upon the earth. The shadow remains though whether we look directly at it or not and will until we are all awake and aware enough to shine our lights brightly into those dark spaces and get rid of the vermin hiding there. Anyway, thank you for sharing this my friend! Bright Blessings to you, may your light continue to shine in the Universe! Love!
Fantastic artwork
Wow stunning a masterpiece! Cathy xoxoxo
Strong concept here, nicely done ! :)
wonderful Picture, and excellent Work :) Hugs Kirstine.
Wonderful creation. I can say I would NOT want the job. ;)
Your art work my dear is so powerful. In viewing it requires that one spends time. And when that happens, enjoyment is the experience. I love your art!
Incredibly beautiful ... the lighting is stunning.... fantastic image...
Fantastic image and composition, Whylma. Your yearly upload is very beautiful this year, and also well crafted.. I agree with your thoughts.
Superbly done as always Whylma :)