Like Zurbaran’s depictions of Saint Francis of Assisi, Hail the Sun (After Zurburan) is lit strongly from the left and the light falls on the wall behind the subject in the shape of a halo. Paintings of saints are designed to model piety and inspire viewers to attain the same level of religiosity.
This portrait utilizes Baroque-style tenebrism due to Caravaggio’s influence on artists like Zurbaran. The location of the subject is obscured but the darkness implies intentional isolation for the purpose of spiritual focus and meditation. Though the painting follows conventions of religious art from a distance, upon further inspection its accuracy becomes questionable. The inclusion of hood strings and band logo of Hail the Sun classify the subject's garment as modern. The band’s name may even be seen as a parody of religiosity.
36x20", oil on canvas