Tolkien Etchings

My etching, “The Bridge of Kazad-dum”, from J.R.R.Tolkien’s, The Lord of the Rings, depicts the exact moment when Gandalf’s sword, Glamdring shatters the Balrog’s. It is the climax of an incredibly exhilarating sequence that starts with what Leonard Bernstein, speaking about Beethoven’s Fifth, once called, “that whispered hint of things to come”, and ends with a great crescendo. From the moment Gandalf begins to read from Balin’s record book, the narrative takes on a mysteriously ominous feeling. All the time the company is fleeing the excitement builds, as an unknown being of incredible power purses them. The Balrog finally appears, and the crescendo is reached with the battle on the bridge.

The narrow bridge over the black chasm; the small, glimmering wizard; the massive, flame breathing, flaming whip wielding, monster; the shadow-like wings stretching the breath of the cavern; and the flash of light from the shattered sword, all present an image irresistible to any Tolkien illustrator.

Also Tolkien’s language here is absolutely exhilarating:
“From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming.
Glamdring glittered white in answer.”