The first time we played Breath of the Wild and travelled down from the Shrine of Resurrection to the Temple of Time unlocked a core memory. For some it came with the curiosity to discover, explore, and uncover the broken past they had wandered into, just like the Link of the story. For others, it was like coming back to a forgotten home greatly changed by the passage of time, yet still holding pockets of nostalgia. We will never have that first moment ever again, but artists like La-Sera has used her talent to immortalise the memory for eternity.
La-Sera’s artwork “Temple of Time” recreates the first time Wild Era Link steps towards the ruins of the Temple of Time. There is no sign of the iconic blue tunic of this Link’s journey as this is only just beginning. He adorns the old shirt and well-worn trousers conveniently left behind. No sword swings in his hand for all this hero has found is a branch to slay his foes with. Beyond, the temple is misty despite the sun that would filter through the broken rafters. Like the heroes before him, Link must prove his worth before being blessed with the secrets inside.
The soft color palette splashed across the canvas enhances the sense of whimsy and magic found within these ruins. The shade of green shining in the grass and crawling over the ruins are inviting and house many little spots of color forming flowers. In turn, the flowers bring butterflies suggesting peace despite the legs of a Guardian at the edge of the frame and another silhouette not too far. For a moment, everything is still and a tune plays on the wind. The melody is broken, in fact it’s not even there. It’s but another memory brought to life through the paint of a page.
Link holds front and center, drawing eyes to look into the mist gathering inside the temple, though it is not his journey that draws us into the piece. It’s the memories, the moments, the songs, the cutscenes, the puzzles and all that can be found within the Temple of Time. La-Sera may have only drawn Wild Era Link looking into the mist of his own Hyrule’s past, but for the players that have been adventuring for decades, this artist has sent us on a journey of the past just like we did with Link all those years ago.
