Shield of Achilles Paintings

Mark Alexander has long been fascinated by what he calls ‘the Primitive Gaze’ – seemingly blank and unaffected, such as those seen on the statues of Easter Island, Minoan masks, and the artist’s face in Warhol’s late self-portrait.

"Blazing to enormous size, these beaming medallions conjure luminously the classical conflicts of Homer while all the while glinting ambiguously with the uncertainty of the future. As if embodying Augustine’s troubled concept of history in which time present and time past are both present in time future, Alexander’s shields at once absorb and reflect the unfathomable proportions of our age." Kelly Grovier

Reflections on The Shield of Achilles by Andrew Graham-Dixon

Shield of Achilles V

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield (blue version).

Shield of Achilles VI

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (White version)

Shield of Achilles VII

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (Red version)

Shield of Achilles VIII

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (yellow version)

Shield of Achilles IX

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (white version)

Shield of Achilles XX

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (red version)

Shield of Achilles XI

Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield. (green version)

Shield of Achilles XII

  • Oil on Canvas
  • Dia 220 cm
  • 2008
Oil on round canvas painting of a child's face in centre of Greek battle shield in blue.

Studio shot

  • Oil on canvas
  • Dia 120 cm
  • 2009
Photograph of Mark Alexander's Studio in Berlin.  A white Mannheim painting and a blue circular painting of the Shield of Achilles.