Artwork
Lychnis and Her Sons
Lychnis and Her Sons is an ink print by George Bellows. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
George Bellows produced the black-and-white lithograph Lychnes and Her Sons in 1923. The print presents three barefoot figures arranged closely in an open field, with a small town, water, hills and a brooding sky receding in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The central, taller figure is flanked by two smaller companions—one with short hair, the other with long—suggesting a familial grouping. Although the title evokes the myth of Lychnis, the composition conveys a tranquil, everyday scene rather than a narrative climax.
Technique & Style
Bellows employed the lithographic process, using bold, rough lines that lend the work a sketch‑like, almost spontaneous quality. The stark contrast of black ink against the paper emphasizes form and depth while preserving a raw, expressive surface.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1920s, the print belongs to Bellows’s period of experimentation with printmaking, a medium he explored alongside his more widely known paintings. Its ownership record traces through several private collections before entering public holdings in the mid‑20th century.
Context
The work emerges from a post‑World War I America where artists often turned to everyday subjects and simplified forms. Bellows’s choice of a mythic title paired with a mundane scene reflects contemporary interests in juxtaposing classical references with modern life.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
