This is the second one of two finished watercolour paintings I did in the mid-eighties (around age 18, 19) that have a Tolkien theme - the other one is "Caras Galadhon", the city of the elves of Lórien from "The Lord of the Rings".

The painting shows Tuor playing his harp in Cirith Ninniach, the Ravine of the Rainbows, at night among the noise of the water. I'm quite happy with the colour scheme and the rendition of the water and the rocks, even after all that time. It seems to have the right feeling of utter loneliness, yet serenity that fits with the story. A rainbow at night of course is a physical impossibility; but it seems to add to the magic of the place - and then if the moonlight was only strong enough, there could after all be rainbows at night...

From the story of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin, as told in the Unfinished Tales

"In that deep place Tuor went on now in great hope and delight, finding a path beneath the southern wall, where there lay a long and narrow strand. And when night came, and the river rushed on unseen, save for a glint of high stars mirrored in dark pools, then he rested, and slept; for he felt no fear beside that water, in which the power of Ulmo ran.
With the coming of day he went on again without haste. The sun rose behind his back and set before his face, and where the water foamed among the boulders or rushed over sudden falls, at morning and evening rainbows were woven across the stream. Wherefore he named that ravine Cirith Ninniach.
Thus Tuor journeyed slowly for three days, drinking the cold water but desiring no food, though there were many fish that shone as gold and silver, or gleamed with colours like to the rainbows in the spray above. And on the fourth day the channel grew wider, and its walls lower and less sheer; but the river ran deeper and more strongly, for high hills now marched on either side, and fresh waters spilled from them into Cirith Ninniach over shimmering falls. There long while Tuor sat, watching the swirling of the stream and listening to its endless voice, until night came again and stars shone cold and white in the dark lane of sky above him. Then he lifted up his voice, and plucked the strings of his harp, and above the noise of the water the sound of his song and the sweet thrilling of the harp were echoed in the stone and multiplied, and went forth and rang in the nightclad hills, until all the empty land was filled with music beneath the stars. For though he knew it not, Tuor was now come to the Echoing Mountains of Lammoth about the Firth of Drengist. There once long ago Feanor had landed from the sea, and the voices of his host were swelled to a mighty clamour upon the coasts of the North ere the rising of the Moon.
Then Tuor was filled with wonder and stayed his song, and slowly the music died in the hills, and there was silence. And then amid the silence he heard in the air above him a strange cry; and he knew not of what creature that cry came."

From: J.R.R.Tolkien / ed. Christopher Tolkien: "Unfinished Tales" Part One: The First Age, "Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin"

© 2002, 2003, 2004 Asni

all artwork © Asni

last updated: 12 January, 2004