Cover illustration by Anke Eissmann - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-07-2010, 05:47 PM

German artist and illustrator Anke Eissmann created a brand-new painting for the cover of Music In Middle-earth. It shows Lúthien singing, accompanied by Daeron playing the flute, amidst green leaves and flowers.

This motive was chosen because of the significance of both depicted Elves for music in M-e. Lúthien was the most powerful singer ever to appear in Tolkien's works, for she had the Maian ability of her mother Melian in addition to her Elven heritage. Her singing affected Morgoth himself and brought Beren back from the dead - both unprecedented events which were accomplished by no other persons in Arda.

Daeron was said to be the mightiest of the three greatest Elven musicians. He often played as Lúthien sang and danced.

The picture thus unites both vocal and instrumental music as well as depicting two of the most influential and important musicians in Tolkien's works.

Oh, and it's beautiful! I can't access Anke's homepage at the moment; when I can do so, I will post a link for those of you who would like to see the picture.

The Might · 02-07-2010, 06:22 PM

I like Eissmann's art because unlinke Howe and Lee it's not as clear, not as sharp if you will.

Wonderful picture, and I never would have expected it to be a brand-new one.

Bêthberry · 02-07-2010, 06:55 PM

What's fascinating as well about the cover illustration is how it symbolises the relationship between Daeron and Luthien.

Daeron occupies the foreground of the left side of the illustration and he faces forward toward the reader/spectator, with his back towards Luthien. He is not looking directly at her at all. His eyes are, however, wide open. Luthien, on the other hand, occupies the background of the right side of the composition. Her eyes are closed and she faces away from the direction of the music, away from Daeron and toward the right frame of the illustration. Daeron is slightly obscured by a few large leaves and branches whereas Luthien is framed by small leaves, walking in mid-thigh grass.

As with all of Anke Eissmann's illustrations for Tolkien, this one is very rich, clearly placed significantly within the story, yet highly original.

It is quite wonderful that she created a new illustration for the book.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-08-2010, 04:43 AM

I now have the link to Anke Eissmann's home page. If you haven't explored it before, you'll be astonished over her wonderful artwork!

I can't link directly to the cover picture; you can find it here by scrolling down to "Daeron and Lúthien (2008)".

Anke's illustrations are featured on a number of covers of books published by Walking Tree. Normally an existing picture was used, but there was none for the theme of music. When we first talked about possibilities, we very soon found ourselves "on the same page" of Middle-earth for the subject. I am delighted over her beautiful painting.

Bêthberry, I find your analysis of the picture very interesting; the two persons depicted are linked only by something invisible - the music!

Faramir Jones · 02-08-2010, 05:07 AM

While I've always liked Anke's art very much, and thought that the choice of Daeron and Luthien was perfectly appropriate as a cover for the book, I didn't know that it was specifically commissioned for that purpose.

shadowfax · 03-26-2010, 11:26 AM

here it is ...

Guinevere · 05-10-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Daeron occupies the foreground of the left side of the illustration and he faces forward toward the reader/spectator, with his back towards Luthien. He is not looking directly at her at all. His eyes are, however, wide open.

Huh?! But Daeron's eyes are closed as well! He seems totally concentrated on his music.

This is another lovely picture by Anke Eissmann. (I recently enjoyed very much looking at her pictures and sketches at the Seminar in Jena.)

Bêthberry · 05-10-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinevere

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bethberry

Daeron occupies the foreground of the left side of the illustration and he faces forward toward the reader/spectator, with his back towards Luthien. He is not looking directly at her at all. His eyes are, however, wide open.

Huh?! But Daeron's eyes are closed as well! He seems totally concentrated on his music.

In my copy (On my copy?

), his eyes are two-toned, which gives the appearance of whites of the eyes with a darker, shaded spot that could be iris and cornea. Although the bottom of his eyes have a dark liner (possibly lashes), it really does not, to me, look like a closed eyelid in the same way as Luthien's.

Many things besides beauty are in the eye of the beholder?

Guinevere · 05-13-2010, 09:07 AM

I see what you mean, looking from far away it really might give that impression!

But if you click on Esty's link above and enlarge the picture, you see the eyelids and lashes quite clearly .

02-07-2010, 05:47 PM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Cover illustration by Anke Eissmann German artist and illustrator Anke Eissmann created a brand-new painting for the cover of Music In Middle-earth. It shows Lúthien singing, accompanied by Daeron playing the flute, amidst green leaves and flowers. This motive was chosen because of the significance of both depicted Elves for music in M-e. Lúthien was the most powerful singer ever to appear in Tolkien's works, for she had the Maian ability of her mother Melian in addition to her Elven heritage. Her singing affected Morgoth himself and brought Beren back from the dead - both unprecedented events which were accomplished by no other persons in Arda. Daeron was said to be the mightiest of the three greatest Elven musicians. He often played as Lúthien sang and danced. The picture thus unites both vocal and instrumental music as well as depicting two of the most influential and important musicians in Tolkien's works. Oh, and it's beautiful! I can't access Anke's homepage at the moment; when I can do so, I will post a link for those of you who would like to see the picture. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-07-2010, 06:22 PM	#2
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I like Eissmann's art because unlinke Howe and Lee it's not as clear, not as sharp if you will. Wonderful picture, and I never would have expected it to be a brand-new one. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

02-07-2010, 06:55 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,996	What's fascinating as well about the cover illustration is how it symbolises the relationship between Daeron and Luthien. Daeron occupies the foreground of the left side of the illustration and he faces forward toward the reader/spectator, with his back towards Luthien. He is not looking directly at her at all. His eyes are, however, wide open. Luthien, on the other hand, occupies the background of the right side of the composition. Her eyes are closed and she faces away from the direction of the music, away from Daeron and toward the right frame of the illustration. Daeron is slightly obscured by a few large leaves and branches whereas Luthien is framed by small leaves, walking in mid-thigh grass. As with all of Anke Eissmann's illustrations for Tolkien, this one is very rich, clearly placed significantly within the story, yet highly original. It is quite wonderful that she created a new illustration for the book. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

02-08-2010, 04:43 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I now have the link to Anke Eissmann's home page. If you haven't explored it before, you'll be astonished over her wonderful artwork! I can't link directly to the cover picture; you can find it here by scrolling down to "Daeron and Lúthien (2008)". Anke's illustrations are featured on a number of covers of books published by Walking Tree. Normally an existing picture was used, but there was none for the theme of music. When we first talked about possibilities, we very soon found ourselves "on the same page" of Middle-earth for the subject. I am delighted over her beautiful painting. Bêthberry, I find your analysis of the picture very interesting; the two persons depicted are linked only by something invisible - the music! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 02-08-2010 at 04:49 AM.

02-08-2010, 05:07 AM	#5
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	Nice to know While I've always liked Anke's art very much, and thought that the choice of Daeron and Luthien was perfectly appropriate as a cover for the book, I didn't know that it was specifically commissioned for that purpose.

03-26-2010, 11:26 AM	#6
shadowfax Animated Skeleton Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 40	here it is ... __________________ Visit the Walking Tree Publishers Last edited by shadowfax; 05-12-2010 at 08:26 AM.

05-13-2010, 09:07 AM	#9
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	I see what you mean, looking from far away it really might give that impression! But if you click on Esty's link above and enlarge the picture, you see the eyelids and lashes quite clearly . __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!