Inspiration
"Infinite Regression"
Courtesy of Jon Lomberg; copyright ©2013 Jon Lomberg. All rights reserved.
The portal to a new world, or the gates of Heaven?
Here's the painting that originally inspired (not too long ago) the core theme of Cristofori's Dream. Recognize it? It's a famous painting in its own right: "Infinite Regression" by artist-scientist Jon Lomberg. "Infinite Regression" is featured in Carl Sagan's bestselling book Cosmos, illustrating the idea that our Universe might be just an atom in some higher universe. The series of nested universes might be infinite. His painting shows a human emerging from a crystalline universe into another. (I think it's interesting that Dr. Sagan, a fierce skeptic, used two pages of his masterpiece to discuss this "strange, haunting, evocative" idea—one that he also termed "religious.")
Jon Lomberg was also the Chief Artist for Carl Sagan's Emmy Award-winning Cosmos TV special. He, too, won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement on this series. Jon has managed and led teams of artists and technicians on major scientific projects using sophisticated image technology. These days, he remains one of the world's most distinguished artists inspired by astronomy.
For more about Jon Lomberg and his amazing works, visit his website: jonlomberg.com
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The famous paintings, engravings, and sketches* below became part of my main character's (Christopher Russo's) own FOREVER CHRISTMAS story, which created the Dream World.
I'll bet you can't wait to visit it.
"Älvalek" by August Malmström (1829–1901). The pond by the Old Cottage |
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"Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion" by John Martin (1789–1854). The ledge of the Terrible Mountain |
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"Eldena Ruin" The Old Cottage of L'entroterra |
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"Åsgårdsreien" by Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831–1892). The Demon Horde |
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"Monastery Graveyard in the Snow" The Church of L'entroterra |
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"Hutten's Tomb" The Angel Giovanna's tomb |
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"Odin the Wanderer" The Old Ghost |
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"The Nightmare" The Alp and the White Mare |
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"Mountain Peak with Drifting Clouds" The Terrible Mountain of L'entroterra |
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"Adoration of the Magi" (with comet) by Giotto (1266–1337). L'cometa di Natale |
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"The Evening of the Deluge" by John Martin (1789–1854). The tunnel of the Terrible Mountain |
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"Pandæmonium" by John Martin (1789–1854). Pandæmonium
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"White Rose" by Gustave Doré (1832–1883). The entrance to the Dream World |
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*These works are in the public domain in the United States, and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. These files have been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights. |