Sigiriya

Sigiriya
Comments

lovely watercolour, Seok, and thank you for the story. The rock is most impressive - how on earth did they build on top of that ? and get up and down, with elephants?

Beautiful painting Seok, I enjoyed reading your comments on this post :)

very informative and beautifully painted piece :-) i like it a lot :-)

Wow, that is some rock and a very interesting story to go with it. Another lovely watercolour Seok.

Another interesting story for us Seok, a great painting too.

Lovely watercolour Seok and very interesting commentary, you should do a tv series!

Nice one Seok, like the technique used on the bushes and trees. Interesting story.

I like the way you have built up the painting. It is also great to know some background.

Thank you very much, everyone! Jenny and Rebecca - I have no idea how they did it with elephants, because I was gave up climbing halfway due to the unbearable heat! And it wasn't just the elephants - the rock at various levels had fountains, rock gardens, grottos as well as some very racy murals of topless dancing ladies. I was just glad I didn't have to live or work there or climb the heights to get my groceries!

Nice and fresh watercolour, I like the imposing rock and all your greens :)

Thanks very much, Sarah!

Just catching upp with the postings Seok, another lovely painting and the information on the painting gives further insight to your incredible travel paintings

Hang on Studio Wall
31/03/2015
2 likes
767 views

The great rock of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is one of Sri Lanka's most magnificent natural landmarks. It rose to prominence in the 5th Century AD when the patricidal King Kassapa established his palace above the rock. Kassapa had deposed and murdered his royal sire after learning that his younger half-brother, Mogallana, had been named heir to the throne. Mogallana fled to India, returning 18 years later to fight Kassapa. In an inexplicable moment of aberration, Kassapa descended from his impenetrable, lofty palace in the clouds and was defeated when his terrified elephant turned and bolted. His troops thought that the king had retreated, gave up the fight and fled. Kassapa, facing certain defeat, drew his sword and plunged it into his own throat, bringing an end to his 18 year rule.

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Seok Yam Chew

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