Roman Empire

The Roman Empire series reflects my fascination with ancient Rome, shaped by my explorations in the city and studies in Roman architecture at Yale University. Inspired by Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s 18th-century etchings, his work greatly influenced my artistic vision and played a key role in my Hollywood career as a concept artist, matte painter, and creative consultant on ancient architecture.

Arch of Constantine

This painting focuses on the main inscription on the attic of the Arch of Constantine, completed in 315 AD and located in the Roman Forum near the Colosseum. I chose to paint the letters in gold over a black background to reference the original bronze letters, which were inserted into the carved stone. Some Roman arches featured letters plated with gold, allowing them to capture sunlight and shine from miles away. Constantine the Great, the last pagan and first Christian emperor of Rome, founded Constantinople as the "New Rome" in 324 AD. The history of Emperor Constantine and Rome is marked by both triumph and tragedy, a contrast that I reflect in this work.

Rome. Arch of Constantine, 2023 Acrylic painting with photo collage on canvas 24 x 48 in.

history

The main attic inscription, translated from Latin to English:

imp · caes · fl · constantino · maximo · p· f· avgvsto · s · p · q · r · qvod · instinctv · divinitatis · mentis · magnitvdine · cvm · exercitv · svo · tam · de · tyranno · qvam · de · omni · eivs · factione · vno · tempore · ivstis · rempvblicam · vltvs · est · armis · arcvm · trivmphis · insignem · dicavit

Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms. The Senate and Roman People have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.

in the studio

Roman Harbor, 2008 Digital painting software Photoshop, Maya

In 2008, inspired by Piranesi, I created the digital painting Roman Harbor. This painting played a crucial role in my hiring at Walt Disney Animation, where I contributed to the Academy Award-winning animated features Frozen and Big Hero 6. The piece was also published globally in professional digital art magazines such as 3D World and COREL Painter.