Cthulhu the Great Old One
Cthulhu the Great Old One is a fictional divine being created by American author H.P. Lovecraft in the short story The Call of Cthulhu (1928).
Cthulhu is one of the most iconic creatures in horror literature and a central figure in the so-called Cthulhu Mythos, an informal collection of Lovecraft's stories and those inspired by him.
Cthulhu is described as a gigantic, tentacle-faced deity with wings and a massive, humanoid body. According to mythology, he rests in the sunken city of R'lyeh, hidden deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, where he sleeps until "the stars are right" and he will awaken to regain dominion over the world. His mere presence can drive people insane, and his followers, often cultists, work in secret to awaken him from his slumber.
The theme of Lovecraft's story is deeply rooted in cosmic horror – the idea that humanity is insignificant compared to the vast and incomprehensible horrors of the universe. Cthulhu is not a traditional god or demon, but a being from an ancient time, so alien and powerful that man cannot fathom his existence without losing his mind.
Although Lovecraft died in 1937, Cthulhu has lived on in popular culture. He appears in books, movies, games, and even music, often as an ironic figure or a terrifying icon. From the role-playing game Call of Cthulhu to references in modern series and movies, Cthulhu has achieved a cult status that continues to inspire new horror fiction to this day.
That is not dead which can eternally lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.
– H.P. Lovecraft
Cthulhu is one of the most iconic creatures in horror literature and a central figure in the so-called Cthulhu Mythos, an informal collection of Lovecraft's stories and those inspired by him.
Cthulhu is described as a gigantic, tentacle-faced deity with wings and a massive, humanoid body. According to mythology, he rests in the sunken city of R'lyeh, hidden deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, where he sleeps until "the stars are right" and he will awaken to regain dominion over the world. His mere presence can drive people insane, and his followers, often cultists, work in secret to awaken him from his slumber.
The theme of Lovecraft's story is deeply rooted in cosmic horror – the idea that humanity is insignificant compared to the vast and incomprehensible horrors of the universe. Cthulhu is not a traditional god or demon, but a being from an ancient time, so alien and powerful that man cannot fathom his existence without losing his mind.
Although Lovecraft died in 1937, Cthulhu has lived on in popular culture. He appears in books, movies, games, and even music, often as an ironic figure or a terrifying icon. From the role-playing game Call of Cthulhu to references in modern series and movies, Cthulhu has achieved a cult status that continues to inspire new horror fiction to this day.
That is not dead which can eternally lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.
– H.P. Lovecraft
Pen on paper, colorized digitally.
Size: 20 x 20 cm.
Size: 20 x 20 cm.
