Sacrifice of the Head and the Heart / Sacrificio de la Cabeza y del Corazón

“Measuring fourteen feet in height, Sacrifice of the Head and Heart offers a different vision: According to Allison Carrillo, the artist’s widow, the central figure on the painting represents Tamerlane, the conquering warrior who founded the Perso-Turkish Timurid empire at the end of the 14th century. The world that Tamerlane created was known for its patronage and celebration of the arts. Though rooted in history, much of the painting feels strikingly futuristic. The men flanking Tamerlane on all sides are painted at perspectives that suggest a dramatic recession in space so that the work pulsates with centripetal force. The painting suggests a unique take on Carrillo’s longtime interest in the relationship between universal ancient history and spiritual heritage.”

Read more on the Tucson Museum of Art website: https://tucsonmuseumofart.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/D9993DD6-F90C-4B12-8552-589701671754

Photo courtesy of The Crocker Art Museum