My painting is inspired by the Greek god Apollo. He is most famously known as the god of the sun, but in addition he is the god of light, music, dance, prophecy, and many other subjects. While doing some research, I found that, being the god of prophecy, one of his symbols is the crow. In this painting it is as if the bird has come to someone in a vision, sent by Apollo himself. The crow is carrying a lyre, the god’s musical instrument, and is wearing a laurel wreath on its head, which Apollo is also often depicted with. The sun behind the messenger is also symbolic of the god, and the manner in which it shines through the crow’s feathers is meant to give the impression that the sun itself sent this crow messenger.