Gandalf Returns to Hobbiton Approximately 50 x 70 cm, 1994 The Return of the Shadow, by Christopher Tolkien Grafton Books, October 1994 For ages I had wanted to do a painting of Gandalf returning to Bag End after one of his lengthy absences. All of the elements fell very naturally in to place, especially the lane leading back to the distance in the left, symbolic of the troubles and cares pursuing Gandalf, heralding the evil stirring far beyond the horizon of the Shire. Of course, I wasn't thinking that when I was doing the picture, but it sure sounds intelligent in the commentary, doesn't it?