Artwork Description:
The title translates as, City of Carcassonne. The work was hand printed and published by the artist at The Center for Works on Paper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please note that this etching is shipped to the collector without a frame or mat. This keeps the price low and allows the collector personal choice in mat selection and framing. A sturdy cardboard box is employed for shipping the work. The etching is first wrapped in two layers of acid free glassine and then placed between two archival boards. This is next placed into the shipping carton and securely packed with bubble wrap. The Absolute Arts Dot Com price includes all handling costs, shipment supplies, and the coast of the shipment box. Mailing costs are added. My image is adapted from a color photograph I shot at this location in 1987. My printmaking techniques included intaglio, aquatint, and drypoint. Media includes French, oil based black ink, Charbonnel Brand from Paris, on RivesBFK white Printmaking Paper, also manufactured in France. The print size is 11 inches high by 10 inches wide, or 28 cm x 26 cm. This city was a Cathar stronghold. The Cathars were a Christian cult active in Europe, especially in the area known as Catalonia in the mid 12th century. They believed that God had only created spiritual perfection and eternity, not the material world, a place they claimed was demonic. Many led austere lives as celibate monks and vegetarians. The Cathar clergy, called PERFECTS, were thought be masters of alchemy and magic. The Perfects were the only ones permitted to perform a ritual on the dying that prepared them for the next life. Their beliefs earned them severe hatred and persecution by the Vatican and Roman Catholic Church, as well as and the French king in Paris. Unfortunately Cathars were hinted like animals by agents of the French Court and Vatican and all arrested. Then, there were several massive execution via flame. . . being burned at the stake alive. It is rumored that a few Cathar leaders hid their gold and secret scrolls somewhere in the caves of this mountainous region before their executions.