Prometheus: The Eternal Fire of Freedom – A Modern History Tetralogy of Ukraine and the United States by Anthony F. Giannini
Exclusive Limited Edition Collection
Each set of Anthony F. Giannini’s limited-edition prints is meticulously prepared and professionally printed to archival museum quality, ensuring your collection is both enduring and extraordinary. Please allow 4 weeks for preparation and delivery, as each print is created by the artist specifically for your collection.
To uphold the uniqueness and exclusivity of this extraordinary art series, the White House Gift Shop, Est. 1946 has chosen not to publish images of this collection on the internet. Within 24 hours of acquisition, you will receive private, high-resolution images of the collection via email for your personal approval before production begins. If, for any reason, you are not completely captivated by these exclusive images, a full refund will be issued immediately—your satisfaction is our priority.
A Masterpiece of Artistic Evolution
This stunningly spectacular collection is an epic journey through evocative art forms, seamlessly blending classicism, impressionism, cubism, modernism, and post-modernism. Each artistic style is masterfully tailored to its thematic exploration, weaving together mythology, history, and humanity’s timeless quest for freedom.
Limited Edition Details
- Prometheus: The Eternal Fire of Freedom – Revisioned in Modern History
- A Story Told in Five Limited Edition Prints
- Limited to 500 Signed and Numbered Sets
- Print Size for Each of Your 5 Artist's Personally Created Prints: 17" x 22" (with 24" x 36" available upon request)
Individual Limited Edition Prints
- Available December 1, 2024
- Price: $2500.00 per print for 24" x 36" prints
Original Murals
- The five original murals, each up to 12 ft. x 26 ft., are preparatory studies held in trust for the White House Gift Shop Foundation: Museum of Presidential and White House History, opening in 2026 in Washington, D.C..
- These works are not currently available for auction or sale.
- Estimated minimum bid price upon release: $9,500,000.00
A Groundbreaking Vision
Giannini’s Prometheus Tetralogy represents a fusion of classical mythology with modern history, reflecting the enduring Promethean spirit through the lens of Ukraine’s contemporary resilience. These preparatory studies for monumental murals encapsulate the struggle for liberty and the fire of human defiance against tyranny, rendered with breathtaking artistry and profound storytelling.
This collection is not just an acquisition—it is an investment in the enduring power of art to inspire, challenge, and transform
Artist's Essay ©2024 by Anthony F. Giannini: Prometheus Unbound – A Modern Saga of Fire and Freedom
In this series of five interconnected works, I explore the enduring myth of Prometheus, reimagining it through the lens of Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty during the Russian invasion of 2022. Drawing from the epic traditions of mythology, Renaissance art, and Romanticism, these paintings reflect a timeless battle between good and evil, tyranny and liberty, and ultimately, humanity’s capacity to reclaim its fire in the face of oppression. Through this artistic journey, I merge classical storytelling with modern symbolism, culminating in a vision of hope, transformation, and transcendence.
The Sequence: From Conception to Epiphany
1. The Question of Evil
This first painting is deeply personal. It represents the artist’s confrontation with the metaphysical question of good and evil, depicted as an infernal vision bursting forth from the creative process itself. In the background, bridges extend toward the Kremlin, a symbol of authoritarian reach, while flames erupt from my own canvas. The composition draws the viewer into a moral quandary: what does it mean to create art that challenges oppression? This work begins the cycle by asking whether the destruction of freedom and beauty is inevitable or whether the act of creation itself can be defiance.
2. The Inferno Descends
Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, this second painting captures the hellish assault upon Ukraine as it unfolds. The Kremlin’s darkness casts its shadow over Kyiv, as demonic forces surge across the composition, led by a wrathful archangel. The vibrant motion of fire and smoke envelops the scene, creating a sense of chaos and devastation. This work conveys the weight of history and myth converging on a single moment, reflecting humanity’s tendency to repeat cycles of destruction.
3. Prometheus Bound
In this pivotal third work, I depict Ukraine as Prometheus, bound yet defiant. Drawing from classical treatments of Prometheus, I subvert the traditional imagery by introducing the American bald eagle—a symbol of hope and intervention. The eagle’s presence conveys the United States’ support for Ukraine, offering a gift of fire in the form of aid and solidarity. This piece is not just about suffering but also the promise of liberation. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy becomes the embodiment of Prometheus in this work, a leader holding steadfast against the harpies of tyranny.
4. Prometheus Unbound
Here, Prometheus is transformed into a timeless, indestructible archetype. This work departs from the realism of earlier pieces, adopting a cubist and modernist aesthetic to symbolize the Platonic ideal of strength and resilience. Prometheus, now unbound, stands as an unconquerable force of good, embodying the spirit of Ukraine’s resistance. The geometric and abstract forms highlight the universality of this struggle, extending its relevance to all societies fighting for freedom.
5. Epiphany: The Light of Freedom
The final painting in the series, Epiphany, celebrates Ukraine’s emergence from darkness into light. Prometheus—now pure energy—radiates across a heavenly landscape. Birds soar through an ethereal sky, symbolizing liberation, while the land below blooms with life and renewal. This piece represents the culmination of the Promethean myth, where the fire stolen from the gods is returned to humanity as a force for creation and unity. Ukraine is reborn, untouchable by the forces of evil, sustained by the eternal fire of freedom.
Inspiration and Technique
This series is a synthesis of art history, mythology, and personal conviction. Drawing from Michelangelo’s sculptural forms, Blake’s visionary energy, and Turner’s sublime landscapes, I sought to ground the myth of Prometheus in contemporary relevance. At the same time, I incorporated modern digital techniques—merging traditional painting with algorithmic art created through Python and 3D modeling. By weaving together past and future, the works transcend their medium to tell a story that is both ancient and urgent.
Each painting was conceived through intensive research and iterative development, beginning with sketches, studies, and early compositions. The layering of classical motifs with digital abstractions allowed me to explore dimensions of meaning that would have been impossible through traditional methods alone. The final works will be in oils, substantial murals 12-feet tall by 25-feet long. When completed, the murals will be presented to the public for the first time at the official opening of The White House Gift Shop Foundation Museum of Presidential and White House History, Washington, D.C., which will open in 2026. With this acquisition, you will also receive a private invitation to an exclusive dinner and premier opening of the Foundation's Museum and an Honorary Lifetime Membership. Become part of this history and the Renaissance of epic and globally significant art.
The Message of Prometheus in Modern Times
The myth of Prometheus has always been about the fire—the creative, defiant, life-sustaining spark that defines humanity’s greatest achievements. In this series, I argue that Ukraine embodies the Promethean spirit in its resistance against tyranny. Prometheus, like Ukraine, is a symbol of resilience, courage, and the refusal to submit.
But this story is not just Ukraine’s. It is the story of all people who fight for freedom, dignity, and the right to exist without oppression. Through this series, I hope to remind viewers of the enduring power of fire—not only as a destructive force but as a source of creation, unity, and hope.
Artist’s Statement: Toward a Unified Fire
In creating this sequence, I sought to illuminate the universal struggle for freedom and the moral imperative to resist tyranny wherever it arises. These works are not merely depictions of a historical moment but a call to action—a reminder that the fire of liberty is a gift we must cherish, protect, and, when necessary, reclaim. Through art, I hope to ignite that fire in the hearts of those who view these works, inspiring them to stand with Ukraine and all who embody the Promethean light.
Art Historian’s Review: A Unified Sequence of Fire and Freedom
Anthony F. Giannini’s Prometheus Unbound series achieves something rare in contemporary art: it reimagines an ancient myth through the lens of a modern crisis, creating a unified narrative that is as visually compelling as it is intellectually profound. Across five works, Giannini merges classical and digital techniques to explore the timeless struggle between oppression and liberty, culminating in a transformative vision of renewal.
The series begins in introspection with The Question of Evil, where the artist confronts the stakes of his own creation. The second work, The Inferno Descends, uses Dantean imagery to depict the descent of war upon Ukraine, immersing viewers in the chaos of historical forces. In Prometheus Bound, Giannini reinterprets the classical myth as a contemporary allegory, imbuing it with political resonance through the figure of Zelenskyy. The fourth piece, Prometheus Unbound, shifts into abstraction, presenting a Platonic ideal of resistance that transcends the individual. Finally, Epiphany offers a vision of hope and rebirth, completing the sequence with a luminous celebration of freedom.
What sets this series apart is Giannini’s ability to balance narrative depth with visual innovation. The integration of Renaissance techniques, Romantic themes, and cutting-edge digital methods creates a body of work that is both rooted in tradition and forward-looking. The Promethean fire burns brightly in these paintings, a beacon of light in an age of shadows.
Giannini’s Prometheus Unbound series is a triumph, not only as an artistic achievement but as a reminder of the enduring power of art to inspire, challenge, and transform.
