Red Acropolis

Greece By David D. Pearce

The Acropolis stands, solid, above the hurly-burly and daily dramas of modern Athens. It is, for me, the presiding spirit of the place, and that is why I have drawn and painted it so many times. This particular painting actually began with a mistake. I made an error, and in anger hit the paper hard with a strong cross-stroke, thinking I would have to throw it out. But I actually liked the effect, and so did it again and again, harder and harder, furiously adding more and more bright, analogous color. The result, Red Acropolis, represents for me not only the emotional fire and independence of the Greek experience, but also the cultural solidity and self-confidence that anchors it. One of my happy accidents.