Ermias (Giclee Prints)

Ermias by Stephen Carlisle, June 2026.

Signed and numbered limited edition giclee prints on archival rag, 1 inch borders, deckled edges, available in four standard sizes (please see below). Custom sizes and canvas prints available by request.

The portrait Ermias by Stephen Carlisle is an emotionally resonant work of expressionist portraiture that balances technical texture with a profound sense of human dignity.

Vibrant Color Palette: The skin tones are rendered through a brilliant, non-traditional arrangement of hot magenta, fiery orange, deep violet, and pure white highlights. These warm, hyper-saturated tones directly contrast with the cool, electric blue shadowing around the eyes and temples.

Textural Impasto: Executed in oil pastel on a textured canvas, the medium's thick, waxy texture is highly visible. Carlisle leaves deliberate, unblended strokes that function as directional lines, accentuating the natural folds, wrinkles, and character lines of the subject's face.

Metallic Horizon: The solid, shimmering gold background is textured with short, multi-directional strokes. This choice elevates the portrait, reminiscent of classical religious icons or Byzantine mosaics, by placing the modern subject against a timeless, glowing void.

Dignified Serenity: Despite the high-contrast, energetic color choices, the overall mood is deeply calm and grounded. The subject's slight, subtle upturn of the lips and relaxed brow suggest peace, wisdom, and life experience.

Piercing Intimacy: The eyes serve as the psychological anchor of the piece. By capturing clear, white reflection points in the pupils, Carlisle creates an intense, soulful eye contact that feels deeply intimate and directly engages the viewer.

Celebratory Vitality: The use of radiant colors rather than realistic skin tones infuses the subject with an internal light. The mood is not sorrowful or weathered by age; instead, it celebrates the vibrance, warmth, and resilience of a life fully lived.