Pieta (Star Trek art)
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| Fan Art | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Pieta |
| Artist: | Shelley Butler |
| Date(s): | 1997 |
| First Published: | |
| Medium: | |
| Genre/Style: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| External Links: | at AO3 |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Pieta is an illo by Shelley Butler. When the artist posted it to AO3, she titled it "No Pieta Only Love."
The back cover of the zine First Time #46 (1997), Shelley Butler. The art is called Pieta, and it is based on the the famous Michelangelo sculpture. [1]
It was printed in First Time #46 and reprinted in the 2022 KiScon.
It is a companion piece to The Moon and Stars.
It was the winner of a 1997 STIFfie Award and a Philon Award.
It is an example of Imitation which is famous art used in fanart.
Artist's Comments: KIRK IS NOT DEAD
(Kirk is NOT dead. He’s swooned, he’s got the vapors, he’s a hot fudge sundae in Spock’s hands.... Now isn’t that better?) [2]
(To my abject horror, I was recently informed that some of you thought that this artwork portrays Kirk as dead. My arms are akimbo and my mouth is agape. Shelley Butler does not ever write or draw either Kirk or Spock as dead. Or doing housekeeping. You knew that, didn't you? You were just testing me, weren't you? To those of you who imagined such a despicable thing, the image shows Kirk as mesmerized by a powerful, sensual Spock who has his hand touched lightly to Kirk's belly—an extremely open and vulnerable place — indicating Spock's dominance and Kirk's complete giving of himself. Also, notice the small amount of tension in Kirk's leg and the beatific, innocent look on his face. So to sum it up: he ain't dead! Well!) [3]
Kirk is NOT dead, he’s just swooned because he found out that Spock was not a virgin when they were bonded. [4]
The infamous print where Kirk is NOT dead, he’s roasted one too many chestnuts on the open fire. Spock is just making him Y2K ready. (How, you ask? Spock has previously gotten out the fluted crystal champagne glasses in preparation to toast to their eternal love on New Year’s Eve in front of the fire, naked and wanting.) [5]
Artist's Comments
This original is my personal favorite of all. For a number of years, it wasn’t for sale because my husband wanted to keep it. But financial concerns override our desires, so I offer it here. I realize it’s priced higher, but otherwise I couldn’t sell it. The image is a reflection of the glorious sculpture, Pieta. Here, a long-haired Spock lovingly holds an angelic Kirk on his lap. Notice Spock’s hand delicately and gently placed on a vulnerable Kirk’s belly. Kirk’s blissful, sublime expression relates to their intimate relationship, and a soft light seems to shine on him. [7]
Fan Comments
1998
For a long time, Shelley’s wonderful picture Pieta (where Kirk is not dead!) stood in solitary splendor. But then Robin asked for a companion piece for First Time 46 covers, and The Moon and the Stars was born. Now it’s hard for me to look at one without seeing the other, and so I’m commenting on them together. The fine detail work on each picture is incredible, but especially so on Pieta. The drape of the cloth over Kirk’s groin, and on the floor before both figures is perfect. There’s so much texture to this picture! Kirk’s arm hangs almost-but-not-quite lifelessly, (now that I really look, I begin to see the cues of life) and I especially like the bulge of his tendons/veins in that hanging arm. I am definitely not a fan of too much musculature in my K/S art, but this seems perfect, a result of gravity pulling the blood down. Likewise, there does seem to be a little bit of tension in Kirk’s right arm, and in the way his legs are arranged. (Okay, I’m convinced!).The look on Spock’s face seems full of anticipation, and reminds me of that great Southern Cross picture that was sold at Shore Leave last year, when Kirk is extending his arm to draw life from the statue from which Spock is emerging. This is not sorrow, but a gathering of power.
Also reminds me of that story reprinted in Impact by Leslie Fish, Sorcerer, where Spock brings Kirk back from death. [8] The impression I get from Pieta is that Spock is preparing to infuse the man in his lap with something great, mysterious, and ultimately very powerful. Dare I call it by its name? Love.
[...]
... Shelley taps into something subtle: the running deep river of emotion, of psychic energy, of destiny that unites two men. What binds them is beyond the ordinary, beyond a common definition of love or affinity. Both Pieta and The Moon and the Stars are windows to the transcendence of love in K/S, and I love them together. They’re a real treat from a thoughtful artist. [9]
2023
Oh my Lord, Spock with long hair 👀👌 Your drawings are heavenly 😩👌 [10]
References
- ^ This pose was also used decades earlier in the drawing by Wendy Pearson accompanying the poem Pieta in Starbase M.T.L. #6 (1978).
- ^ from several issues of The K/S Press
- ^ from The K/S Press #14
- ^ from The K/S Press #35
- ^ from The K/S Press #39
- ^ from The K/S Press #43
- ^ from Shelly Butler's Art
- ^ This fan is getting two things confused. The story she refers to is by Gayle F, not Leslie Fish. But she is also correctly remembering the art by Gayle F for that story, Sorcerer that is indeed similar to the that great Southern Cross picture.
- ^ from The K/S Press #18
- ^ ChlorideAttila, from AO3 (June 2023)
