The Liberation of Man

"The Liberation of Man, painted by legendary Stratdberger Franz Fritz, is one of the seven artistic wonders of the Commonwealth. It depicts the Rise and Corruption of Man, the Fall, and the Assumption of Wisdom in a seven-scene radial mosaic. Fritz's unflinching depictions of the suffering of Man are contrasted by the glory of the Assumption. Critics have argued that the mural also depicts the life cycle of every person, ascending from the mires of ignorant childhood, passing into adulthood and leaving one's parents, and reaching toward Wisdom and higher fulfillment.
OMNIA MUTANTUR, NIHIL INTERIT.
TOUR TIMES: Each day at Third Bell."

Significance

The Liberation of Man is a painting on the inside of the central dome of the House of Supreme Revelation in Stratdberg, Central Territories. It was painted in the First Year by renowned artist and militant Franz Fritz, and it depicts the history of humanity and the Commonwealth. The story culminates in the Assumption of Wisdom Into the Heart of Man, typically regarded as the single most significant event in human history.
All blue pigment for the painting was derived from lapis lazuli from the mines beneath Cresthaven. The red pigment was derived from carmine and the green from malachite; both from the Southern Deserts. Ocher from the iron mines of Rheinwald constituted the yellow pigments and chalk from the cliffs of Stratdberg created the white.
Silver gilding from the mines of southeastern Rheinland has been hammered cold onto the surface of the mural.

Content

Owing to the radial design of the mural, the painting begins and ends in the same location. The timeline can be broken roughly into seven separate 'chapters'.

One

A Man is shown crawling out of the ocean. He is naked, and he is screaming as he leaves the water, pulled up and out by a depiction of Gremel. His heart is shown on his chest. Gremel's face is black, and empty.

Two

The Man is shown again. Embracing Gremel like a lover. There is clothing hanging from the tree, identical to the vestments of temple priests from before The Fall.

Three

A family is shown, surrounded by women with blacked-out faces, Gremel the tallest of them. She is pointing into the distance. The family is on their knees, worshiping the false goddess and her daughters. The Man is now wearing the robes of the temple, sermonizing his family.

Four

The family weeps, their tears falling into an ocean on which Man has set sail. Also in the boat are some of Gremel's Daughters, and other people not seen earlier in the mural. Gremel looms overhead, looking on in the direction of their sailing.

Five

Man is seen landing on the blood-drenched shores of the New World, many of the other humans run through by thin, pale creatures wielding lances. Enormous, brass cities are shown behind them.

Six

The cities stretch on, eventually catching fire. Man is seen standing atop a tall tower, looking out over heaps of slain men and Pikes. Man is now wearing the armor of the Vigil Triumphant.

Seven

Man steps forward and upward, one foot on the carcasses of the slain, one foot pressing down on the head of his former self (Scene One). He reaches up toward the sun, in which is curled a sleeping image of Wisdom.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Current Location

House of Supreme Revelation

Owning Organization

Vigil Triumphant

Weight

0kg

Dimensions

200m² (radial)

Base Price

Priceless (National Treasure)

Raw materials & Components

Pigments: Lapis lazuli, carmine, malachite, ocher, chalk.

Tools

Boar's hair brushes, ball peen hammer.