"The Stairs of Cirith Ungol" by Peter Xavier Price

Hi Peter,

Yet another beautiful picture from such an emotional scene. Glad you did it, I was very curious about your interpretation. I love the dark atmosphere - this is a very moody scene, as it should be. Great work, once again.Thank you very much. Yeah, this is a scene I simply had to portray sooner or later. I'm glad you like how it turned out.

Wow Pete, this is awesome...the mood is so strong here, very well interpreted indeed.
I swear you get better and more developed with each piece; such a lovely painting you've produced here. I love the smoothness of the coloring, and...well there's nothing left to say but, Well done, and Keep it up.Thank you. I'll certainly try my best .

This is one of the best pictures I've seen. Not only to you depict the characters very well, you also portray that Gollum really isn't that bad- And most of us know he isn't. Just..A bit corrupted..Is all. ^^' It's marvelous.Ah, that's very true. Gollum isn't all that bad, he's simply the most pitiable character in the whole of Tolkien' writings. And this scene is a defining moment for him in my opinion. Thanks a lot.

Look at little Sam and Frodo, they are so sweet! You can really see the bond between I love the fact that Sams got his hands in Frodo's beautiful hair its really personal. aaaaaaa i'm getting all emotional guess i'm a lord of the rings geek!
beautiful picture PeteThank you very much. I'm glad to have received an emotional response to this scene, since it is definitely a sad one.

Oh, this is one of my favorite scenes of the story. You've catch this moment very well in your picture.
It's just great!Thanks a lot. This is also one of my favourite scenes, and I think it's a travesty it wasn't in the movie. Tolkien stated on many occasions that this was the most important scene in the story, as it portrays the moment that the eventual salvation of the world is guaranteed. If Gollum had repented (as he so nearly does here), it would have been physically impossible for the three to have willingly destroyed the Ring even in alliance. It was essential for Sam to scorn him after this point in order for the Ring to be destroyed, showing that not only Bilbo and Frodo's pity saved the world, but Sam's contempt as well. It’s the embodiment of the theological and philosophical undercurrent of ‘free will’ and ‘divine intervention’ in the book, which is very important. This scene is fundamental to Tolkien's tale, and the fact that PJ left it out tells me that he doesn't really get what 'LotR' is all about.

I agree this scene is of paramount importance in the story. My favourite line in the excerpt is actually "they would have thought they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years... an old starved pitiable thing." for it shows Smeagol for what he truly is, even after his life has gone this far because of the ring. About the picture itself. I really wish you had painted this scene so as to be able to see Gollum's face. I'm actually surprised you didn't. You have your reasons I'm sure, but I just thought it would have been very interesting to see your portrayal of the 'old weary hobbit'. *Sigh!* Oh well... Anyway, there's really nothing bad I can say about this picture. This picture is dark and sad, and beautiful because of the shading and toning. Nice work on the rocks. Gollum really looks like skin and bones. Very appropriate. To me, Sam's face looks serene and contented, probably because he knows his Mr. Frodo is safe and sound with him, and not all the orcs of Mordor and evils of Sauron matter because of this. I think Frodo looks a bit uneasy. Its the ring of course. His hand is clutching it. And then there's Gollum's hand stretching out for the ring. It's so close yet so far! A lot of character in that hand. He's crouching and that gives me the impression that he dares move no closer to Frodo. Plenty of emotion in this picture. Great work overall! If only we could see his face...

This is my favourite scene from The Two Towers. Thankyou for painting it.

That's what I've been thinking as well. There are those who claim that the changes PJ mad,e he made to make vital points in the story (e.g. Elves came to Helm's Deep to show that the Elves fought a war as well), but it's all lies and bull. This scene is indeed the most important in the entire book, and one of my favourites as well. Gollum's slight touch, loving, careful, uncertain... your picture is the embodiment of what I imagined it like, including Sam's protective and loving posture... thank you. Thank you for picturing these moments that few others do, and fewer dare.

I love the relationship between Sam and his Mr.Frodo, its not romantic, but I think it goes a lot deeper than friendship. You've captured it perfectly! *applauds then bows*

I agree with my upper neighbor. at last someone sees the deep relationship between Frodo and Sam as something besides gayness! it sickens me. I love how you stay so loyal to the books.