Ceryneian Hind

"Ceryneian Hind"

acrylic, graphite and gold leaf on birch panel

11 x 14 inches plus frame

2012

$500.00

for inquiries, please contact Modern Eden gallery at info@moderneden.com or call 415-956-3303

Here's my new painting for the Moon Goddess show, that the lovely and talented Aunia Kahn has curated for Modern Eden Gallery.

My painting is about the Ceryneian Hind; the sacred, gold-horned deer of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, forests and hills, and the moon.

In Greek Mythology, the Ceryneian Hind, also called Cerynitis, was an enormous hind (deer), who lived in Keryneia, Greece. It was sacred to Artemis, the chaste goddess of the hunt, animals and unmarried women. It had golden antlers like a stag and hooves of bronze or brass, and it was said that it could outrun an arrow in flight. 

Deer were the only animals held sacred to Artemis herself. On seeing a deer larger than a bull with horns shining, she fell in love with these creatures and held them sacred. Deer were also the first animals she captured. She caught five golden horned deer called Elaphoi Khrysokeroi and harnessed them to her chariot.

In the painting, I depicted the Ceryneian Hind and his mate, along with a buzzard, which was also a favored animal of Artemis.  The animals are spirits; incapable of being harmed by the arrows of men or gods.  The bow is Artemis'; which she was never without in the hunt.

The hind holds the moon between his golden antlers, and the flowers at the hinds' feet are asphodelus; one of Artemis' sacred plants.