Heart of the World II, Lithograph by John Anthony Miller

"Heart of the World II" (1988), lithograph numbered 11/30, dated and signed by John Anthony Miller, unfolds a tense, dense, and complex world where every centimeter holds a presence.

Despite the abundance of details, the work invites an almost ritual contemplation without overwhelming the viewer. The small, intimate format tightens the space. In the center, an androgynous figure, echoing a contemporary Christ, stands as a silent incarnation of humanity. His face is both gentle and profound. The figure carries a symbolic, childish heart in which his own might beat. One eye closes, the other opens. His hands, suspended between blessing and supplication, call for silent communion. Six fingers, with thumbs folded into the palm, subtly distort the humanity of the figure. The crown, woven with brambles and symbolic flames, traces a circle of suffering and light. The material of the lithograph gives the work a tactile physicality. The chromatic economy—between blues and grays—compels the eye to focus on the essentials: the form, the suffering, and the grace. Like an unearthed icon, the work becomes a sacred mirror, ready to deliver its mysteries. Around the central figure unfolds a multitude of faces and shapes. These creatures float and emerge like ghosts or silent witnesses. Some smile, and others cry or implore in a choreography of emotions echoing the human soul's tumult. The background, a tangle of curved and broken lines, resembles engravings or notches on an ancient stone. These lines give the impression of a palimpsest—a surface marked by past stories, an interior landscape where layers of memory, pain, and hope overlap.

The title Heart of the World anchors the composition in a metaphysical reflection. It suggests that the central figure embodies a singular individual and humanity, with its aspirations, pains, and hopes. The surrounding figures, emerging and mingling with him, seem to represent the many facets of society: love, fear, the quest for the divine, and the struggle to exist.

B I O -

John Anthony Miller, a contemporary artist residing in Ventura, remains a largely mysterious figure. Renowned for his mastery in the engraving studio, he is often regarded as a genius in a rapidly fading craft. Miller's work is deeply rooted in themes of fantasy and romanticism, making his artistic output genuinely unique. He has described himself as a “messenger from stardust”, a descendant of the Mayflower, and a “fatalistic bookman”. These identities reflect his diverse influences and outlook. Miller was also the proprietor of the Phantom Bookshop in Ventura, California, where his intellectual and artistic spirit permeated the space.

REFERENCE NUMBER: LU654315668082
PERIOD: 1990-1999
CONDITION: Good
MEASUREMENTS: Height: 12.75" Width: 11.25" Depth: 1"
COUNT: 1
MATERIAL: Lithograph
CREATOR: John Anthony Miller (Painter)