Cover illustration by Anke Eissmann
German artist and illustrator Anke Eissmann created a brand-new painting for the cover of Music In Middle-earth. It shows Lúthien singing, accompanied by Daeron playing the flute, amidst green leaves and flowers.
This motive was chosen because of the significance of both depicted Elves for music in M-e. Lúthien was the most powerful singer ever to appear in Tolkien's works, for she had the Maian ability of her mother Melian in addition to her Elven heritage. Her singing affected Morgoth himself and brought Beren back from the dead - both unprecedented events which were accomplished by no other persons in Arda.
Daeron was said to be the mightiest of the three greatest Elven musicians. He often played as Lúthien sang and danced.
The picture thus unites both vocal and instrumental music as well as depicting two of the most influential and important musicians in Tolkien's works.
Oh, and it's beautiful! I can't access Anke's homepage at the moment; when I can do so, I will post a link for those of you who would like to see the picture.
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth.. .'
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