Sterling Hundley Illustration

"Pearl Fishers" was originally created for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. The scale of the piece is intimate at 8.25" x 12", and shows the forbidden kiss of a mysterious veiled woman and her lover. "Pearl Fishers" is a story about a love triangle between the king of a fishing village, his best friend, and a mysterious veiled woman. The king tries to keep his former friend, and the woman apart, to no avail.

The artist has used the fishing net in place of the veil to show the king's attempt to restrain the lovers. In typical operatic style, the story spins wildly out of control and climaxes with the king facing the decision to have the two lovers killed for bringing a curse to the village, or let them go free to live their lives.