The Palace Guardian

Description of the artwork

While the subject of the guard is one of Rudolf Ernst's favourite themes in his Orientalist painting, here he gives us a wonderful example of Indian inspiration. Neither a sultana nor a palace to guard, but a temple whose importance can be guessed at from the presence of the man. In the early 1900s, Ernst began painting Hindu temples, combining architecture, figures, colours and textiles with intense attention to detail.

Posing proudly, sword in hand and bare-chested, a magnificent tiger skin draped over his shoulder, the guard is at his post, waiting for any visitor who might come too close. To his left, a bronze lion on a pedestal seems to be the sculptural double of the guard, so united are they by the symmetry of their postures. It reminds us of the lions of ancient Khmer temples, placed around the enclosure to ensure its defence. The murex is pierced with eight-pointed star-shaped openings, a symbol of balance found in many civilisations. Rudolf Ernst dazzles us with the nobility of this guard, who wears a green jasper necklace and an astonishing headdress, a sort of silver tiara adorned with red stones, from which nine branches extend. Thanks to his immense talent and perfect technique, the painter presents us with a work of art that exudes a fascinating serenity.

Origin

Private collection, France