The Unsigned Paintings of the Great Beasts

The Unsigned Paintings of the Great Beasts are a set of rare, masterwork paintings that depict each of the Four Great Beasts. There are believed to be a total of four paintings in the set, all of which seem to have been painted early in the Fifth Age. They are well-regarded artworks and are highly sought after by collectors.
The artist of these paintings is unknown, but they are said to “capture the majesty of natural views”.

Description

The set consists of four oil paintings crafted sometime in the early Fifth Age. They use a variety of oil paint on large canvases measuring nearly four feet across. Each piece depicts one of the Four Great Beasts.
The paintings register as non-magical. However, through whatever process was used to paint them, or through the efforts of the artist, there is a type of energy present in the art. It is believed this energy was captured or harnessed somehow from each Great Beast. This energy is able to be used or transferred, as was seen with the creation of the Great Leviathan Bearing Stone.
The paintings appeared to be unsigned, and the artist is unknown. However, on 16 Adroth 5A 352, Chaka was able to notice two elvish letters hidden beneath the paint of the "The Great Leviathan, the Hunter of Typhoons". THese letters were “S” and “E”.

The Unsigned Paintings of the Great Beasts

“The Great Behemoth, the Slayer of Quakes”
This depiction of the Great Behemoth shows a desert sandstorm. The painting was stolen from the collection of Al'phonas Muchaelas in Calen Estel on 20 Madaet 5A 352. Its current location is unknown.
“The Great Leviathan, the Hunter of Typhoons”
This depiction of the Great Leviathan shows a sea storm. The Great Leviathan is shown ferociously swirling in the green and blue brine of the sea in motion. Damage is shown along the Leviathan's spine.
The painting was last known to be in Endor, the First Mountain, and hadn't been seen for many years. It was later found in the Commandment of Sky Guildhall in New Keeleon on 16 Adroth 5A 352. It was given to Al'phonas Muchaelas for display in Calen Estel.
“The Great Tempest, the Butcher of Squalls”
This depiction of the Great Tempest shows a mountain thunder storm. The painting was last believed to be in a private collection somewhere in Burland, the Kingdom of the North.
“The Great Phoenix, the Blaster of Infernos”
This depiction of the Great Phoenix shows a wildfire. The painting was last known to be in the collection of previous Leader-Elect Salerain Laminafond.

History

The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings

The four pieces were all painted sometime between 5A 010 and 5A 060.
Several years before 5A 352, Al'phonas Muchaelas became interested in the pieces and began tracking them.
At some point, Al'phonas was given a view of the Great Phoenix painting when speaking about art with Leader-Elect Salerain Laminafond.
Before mid-Jeran 5A 351, the Prophets of Regression used the energy in the Great Leviathan painting to craft the Great Leviathan Bearing Stone.
On 20 Madaet 5A 352, the Great Behemoth painting was stolen from Al'phonas Muchaelas's collection in Calen Estel.
On 16 Adroth 5A 352, the Lightbringers recovered the Great Leviathan painting at the Commandment of Sky Guildhall in New Keeleon. However, its energy had been used to create the Great Leviathan Bearing Stone. Chaka noticed two hidden elvish letters in the painting.
On 17 or 18 Adroth 5A 352, Chaka gave the Great Leviathan painting to Al'phonas Muchaelas for display at the Galleria Magnifico in Calen Estel.

Type

Imagery, Artistic

Medium

Canvas

Myth

Four Great Beasts