An Animated Collage of a Hans Freibusch Mural

At the fairy-tale Welsh village of Portmeirion, Hans Feibusch's classical-style ceiling mural graces the archway of the Gate House.  The figures are pagan deities, reminiscent of ancient zodiacal personages at play in the heavens.  Acrobatically tumbling through the ethers, one figure atop a horse reaches out to join hands with another whose cape billows like a parachute.  Though their fingers haven’t yet touched, their eyes are locked.  The composition suggests a Yin/Yang balance and a clockwise cyclical flow.  These figures may symbolize a connection, bonding, or affinity.  They epitomize the quest for the Other that stretches us as human beings, at the risk of breaking our hearts.

The mural is too large to be photographed in a single frame.  We have animated the reconstruction of the complete image from 23 separate photographs.  Click here to choose your perspective.