To See The Hope That Lies Beyond Our Despair 

My intention with this painting was to have hope represented by the light seen far in the distance at the back of the painting, as in this world are true hope which lies in our redemption from our fallen nature, is only seen faintly and far away. Despair is represented by the dragon and the gloomy, dark castle that is beginning to fall into decay in the background. Symbolizing the fallen nature of power and the false monuments and ideas of glory we experience in this world. The butterfly is meant as a symbol of grace. We have faith Gods grace is always there but it is often unseen, so the the butterfly is placed behind the knight. The water is a symbol of nourishment and forward flowing progression, but this is implied very subtly.