The knight traditionally stood for honor, and a code on how to act. For deeds that should be done- for doing what’s right, not what’s right for you. That seems to be lost in today’s world. By placing iconic images of armor in a contemporary setting, the viewer is forced to contemplate the place of these images and what they stand for. Do they still mean what they once did, and how does that relate to our self, and our world today?

These drawings and paintings bring us face to face with this question by bringing the romanticized ideals of chivalry, and right, into our world. We idealize the world of the knight, and indeed the knight himself through stories of "might for right", not "might makes right". Was it ever truly that way, or is the very idea of chivalry just an idea? Even if these were just ideas, are not the concepts of responsibility, respect, and compassion worth our time? Are the qualities expressed by each of these pieces noble parts of man to be strived for, or just unrealistic dreams of a past that never was?

–Howard T. Katz

Code of Honor: Respect

Acrylic on Birch, 36" x 48"

Code of Honor: Integrity

Acrylic on Birch, 36" x 48"

Code of Honor: Responsibility

Acrylic on Birch, 24" x 48"

Code of Honor: Bravery

Pastel, 18" x 24"

Code of Honor: Fidelity

Colored Pencil, 5 " x 8 "

Code of Honor: Truth

Charcoal & Pastel, 22" x 26"

Code of Honor: Justice

Charcoal, 17" x 25"

Code of Honor: Compassion

Charcoal, 22" x 28"

Code of Honor: Loyalty

Charcoal & Pastel, 18" x 24"

Code of Honor: Responsibility 2

Charcoal, 18" x 24"