Vampyr

Description

Vampyr by artist Amy Letts is an original acrylic painting depicting a female vampire surrounded by many bats. Vampires are creatures of legend which are able to live forever by feasting on human blood. The are ‘creatures of the night’ as sunlight is said to turn them to dust. Vampyr is an archaic spelling of the word Vampire, used to emphasize their immortal nature.

This painting is an incredible study of darkness and light. The artist based the background of this image on experiences staring up at the night sky. Amy Letts often works late until aproximately 4am (sometimes being called a vampire herself!), and experiences the beauty of the night on a regular basis. The human eye has excellent night vision, if allowed to adjust, which a camera can’t do justice to. This is her attempt to capture that.

In Vampyr, the figure is mostly nude, with a tumbling cloak and heavy hood, covering most of the face in shadow. We can only make out vague details and sharp, pointed teeth. The Vampires body is painted in purples and blues, which add to the nightime feel and implies the inhumanity of the subject. Amy Letts has a penchant for painting fantasy figures with unusual skin colours.

There are aproximately 64 bats in this painting, each individually painted in unique positions. Vampires are closely associated with bats, and are said to be able to change into them. Does that make the bats in this painting a vampire army?!