The Taking of Excalibur 

John Duncan painted “The Taking of Excalibur” using traditional materials such as oil paint and canvas. Duncan applied paint in thin layers, creating a smooth, enamel-like surface which gives a dreamy, ethereal quality to the scene. The sword itself is central to the narrative and is depicted with particular attention to its form and detail, emphasizing its importance as a symbol of power and authority. Consider the artist’s process of layering paint to depict light reflecting on the metal of the sword. This process mirrors the labor involved in the crafting of a real sword, forged through skill, time, and technique. Ultimately, “The Taking of Excalibur” invites us to appreciate the fusion of storytelling, artistic skill, and material expression. By delving into the artist’s techniques and contextualizing the artwork, we can look beyond traditional notions of fine art, and engage with wider realms of creative practices and aesthetics.