Middle Earth Challenge, Day 30

Best Lord of the Rings Picture Ever

First off, I have to thank Melody and Kiri for hosting the 30 Middle Earth Challenge. I have enjoyed it ridiculously much, and can hardly believe that it is over. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to over-indulge in Tolkien this way, to revisit Middle Earth, and to really think about the stories. I am now very much in the mood for epics, written in spare, poetic language, with plenty of battles, and beauty. 

And now, the final challenge. The best Lord of the Rings picture.... Well, honestly, I sort of give up. I am going to be totally nerdy and post my favourite Tolkien picture. This one here, by Donato Giancola:

J R R Tolkien, by Donato Giancola

This is a really, really great picture - just look at it. Tolkien is sitting before a round, hobbit-hole window, with his pipe close to hand. If you look closely at that picture on his desk, you will see that he is painting Barrels out of Bondage - the cover illustration for The Hobbit and behind it, the design for Moria door:

That chair at his desk, it is embroidered with the Tree of Gondor - according to the artist, a gift to Bag End from King Elessar:

The tea cups on the table behind him, bear the devices of Beren (on the right) and Luthien (the left):

There is a copy of Beowulf on the shelf to the left of the window. Beowulf had a great influence on Tolkien - readers of The Hobbit will find Beowulf's dragon to be very familiar:

And lastly, on the shelves to the right, you will observe a copy of The Hobbit in its original green slip cover, and a three volume set of The Lord of the Rings:

All pictures are taken from The Land of Shadow and you should definitely click on the link, and read about the inspiration for the painting.