Deviation Actions
Description
Stephen Maturin, Swordmaster and bonded of Captain Jack Aubrey.
Companion art for alltoseek's Juerga
This is my idea of Stephen as a Swordmaster as seen in Duende by Astolat and Juerga by alltoseek. Not handsome at all by the age's standards of Grecian beauty, sallow, and a bit tougher and more dangerous than the Stephen of the Aubrey-Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian. Scarred because no one, even a swordmaster, starts out skilled. Thin hair depicted as best I could, as well as the eyes. The rings are also a central part of the AU. The hands are deft enough but muscled from sword practice.
Though most portraits of the period have gentlemen in coats, as a swordmaster and by his own nature Stephen would prefer he be seen as he is. He is gentlemanly, but set apart by profession and by his birth.
The painting is representational - he is in shirtsleeves as he would normally be for a duel, unencumbered by coat or sword-belt. The rings were a touch that his Bonded, Jack Aubrey, would have insisted on, as Stephen is a superior swordsman, known as The Intangible by repute. Stephen himself would doubtless scorn such a display, but does proudly hold his beloved sword. Otherwise, he presents himself plainly, in a simple waistcoat.
The background came from a Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait
The pose was based on a photo of myself.
The sword hilt and pommel were based on a suggestion by alltoseek for something from the Ibernian Peninsula. Regency swords tended to look similar in general hilt design, and the only Ibernian swords I found were pre-Roman, as seen here.
A more modern (Regency Calvalry style) blade was added and the hilt changed to add guards and a touch more weight to balance the blade.
This is a companion work to my Diana Villiers picture. I am rather happier with this one, but every time I attempt Photoshop, I learn new things so there's that, at least. [ crimsongriffin28.deviantart.co… ]
