Three Wise Men of Gotham

The Wide, Wide Sea – Oblivious Sailors

This illustration is dominated by Wildsmith’s characteristic mosaics of color, especially the blues and greens of the sea that fill the background of this image. The three men are so busy being wise that they seem to be oblivious to the sea raging around them. One is dressed in a blue wizard’s robe and hat with celestial objects decorating the fabric. This outfit, along with his bushy white hair and beard and the granny glasses on the tip of his nose, draw the viewer’s eye to him as he peers into the sea. A second man is right behind him pointing to the words in an open book, perhaps reading to the wizard. A third man is facing the opposite direction, holding a periscope.

There is one bird sitting on the periscope and another sitting on the second man’s head. All are intent on this moment and unaware of what is to come.