The muisca raft

16 in x 20 in
Acrylic on canvas
Karen G. honors the most prominent symbol of El Dorado, the stunning piece of jewelry made by the best goldsmiths of the pre-columbian world: the muiscas who lived in what today is Colombia. It represents the investiture of a new chief (zipa) who would cover his body in oils and gold powder, and carried an offering of gold and emeralds to the gods at Lake Guatavita.  This legend led to the quest for El Dorado by myriads of conquistadores and fortune seekers for centuries. The original piece that inspired this painting resides in the Museum of Gold in Bogota.
The artist portrays the shine and luster of metal by using different tones of yellow, black and white.