Faramir throughout Tolkien Art

Perhaps Faramir is best recognized as the character portrayed by David Wenham in Peter Jackson’s rendition of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Yet just as there are other shades to Faramir’s personality, there are also many different images and representations of this man of Gondor. In this article, you will catch a glimpse of the impressions that Tolkien’s descriptions left upon a few Tolkien artists, and the way in which he or she chose to portray this vision.

This piece of artwork highlighting the scene in which Frodo and Sam are discovered by Faramir and his company, comes from well-known Tolkien artists, the brothers Tim and Greg Hildebrandt. This picture stays very accurate to the descriptions Tolkien provides in “The Two Towers,” even down to the browned ferns, the color in the garments, and the dark-leaved trees in the landscape. While one can make out very little of Faramir’s features due to his cloak, his stature appears tall, and it is easy to see who is in command. The light shining upon Faramir and the more vivid colors used upon his garb brings the eye forward to him, in contrast with his men in the background. His hand is raised in inquiry as he questions the hobbits. He is a bit mysterious, the majority of his defining appearance being hidden, leaving much up to the imagination of the viewer.

Here we have a piece by Ted Nasmith, depicting Faramir and Eowyn as they stand upon the walls of Minas Tirith, just before the passing of the eastern Shadow. While he doesn’t look directly at Eowyn, there is an element of tenderness towards her, shown by the arm Faramir has wrapped about her shoulders. He gazes instead eastwards, intently watching something on the horizon. This interpretation seems to express Faramir’s quieter and thoughtful qualities as well; this is not the usual ranger or warrior figure.

This piece, characterizing the face of Faramir, was completed by the artist John Howe. In this version, Faramir seems tough and hardened appearing to have suffered many hardships throughout his life. His face is worn and injured from some skirmish in the not so distant past. The cold eyes seem to penetrate the subject of the character’s view with almost a hint about grief about the face. This is the unloved son of Denethor, the rugged ranger of Ithilien, and the “stern and commanding” face as described in “The Two Towers.”

Here is another picture, by Anke-Katrin Eissmann, showing Faramir questioning Frodo, while the Ithilien rangers look on in the background. It is similar in context to that of the Hildebrandt brother’s print although it takes place shortly afterwards; Faramir has his stern gaze locked upon Frodo as he questions him in the foreground, while the rangers look on in the background. The colors employed here are all very similar in shade and tone, creating an environment that is almost reminiscent of autumn, with the faded greens and browns. This portrayal of Faramir seems to embody both his stern leadership and thoughtful understanding.

Throughout Tolkien art, Faramir has been portrayed by different artists in a variety of ways, with every one capturing some of the essence of Faramir’s unique personality. Each one has something that sets it apart and they can help better define our view of this character, as well as see how Tolkien’s words inspired these artists in different ways.

Article by Nyérëven (Realm of Nienna – finally the Fellowship’s last article has been recovered from the scorched ruins of the papers Gandalf had with him when he plunged into the depths of Khazad-dûm – and here we present it in its full glory)