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Maenads


Arthur B. Davies, Maenads, 1918-1919, soft-ground etching with aquatint on light blue, medium, slightly textured laid paper, Gift of Mr. Frederick Newlin Price, public domain, 50.90

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Details
Title

Maenads

Related Titles

alternate: Far Prospect

Artist

Arthur B. Davies (American, 1862-1928)

Date

1918-1919

Medium

soft-ground etching with aquatint on light blue, medium, slightly textured laid paper

Edition

edition of ca. 21

State

vii/viii

Catalogue Raisonné

7Czestochowski 69

Dimensions (H x W x D)

plate: 7 15/16 in x 10 7/8 in; sheet: 10 5/16 in x 14 1/8 in

Inscriptions & Markings

signature: Arthur B. Davies, graphite, lower right

title: Maenads, graphite, lower left margin

Collection Area

Graphic Arts

Category

Prints

Object Type

intaglio print

Culture

American

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. Frederick Newlin Price

Accession Number

50.90

Copyright

public domain

Terms

aquatint

etching

intaglio printing

intaglio prints

maenad

nudes

paper

Description

Rather than faithfully recount mythological tales, Arthur B. Davies often turned to Greek myth as a general source of inspiration for his prints of classical figures living in harmony with nature. In this print, for instance, the title refers to the wild followers of Dionysus, god of wine. Maenads—literally, “raving ones”—are typically shown whirling in a frenzy, intoxicated by wine and dance. Davies, instead, depicts a gentle woodland scene, evoking a pure, lyrical past.

History
Exhibitions

2012 Mythologia: Gods, Heroes, and Monsters Portland Art Museum

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