Artwork
Circling Doves
Circling Doves is an ink print by Arthur Bowen Davies. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1921, *Circling Doves* is a black transfer lithograph executed on wove paper by American painter Arthur B. Davies. The composition presents a pair of elongated figures surrounded by a scattering of diminutive bird‑like and leaf‑shaped forms, all rendered in a light, sketch‑like manner that emphasizes movement and atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts two human silhouettes in close proximity—one upright with arms lifted, the other bent forward with arms outstretched—encircled by floating motifs that suggest birds or foliage. The interplay of the figures and the airy shapes evokes a sense of communion and transience, inviting contemplation of the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Technique & Style
Davies employed the transfer lithography process, using black ink applied to a prepared stone and then transferred onto the paper surface. The resulting lines are loose and gestural, preserving the immediacy of a drawing while benefiting from the reproducibility of printmaking. The stark contrast between the ink and the plain wove paper accentuates the delicate forms.
History & Provenance
Arthur B. Davies, a leading advocate for modern art in early‑twentieth‑century America, produced *Circling Doves* during a period when he was actively promoting avant‑garde aesthetics. The print has remained in private collections since its creation, with documented exhibition records indicating its inclusion in several early 1920s shows of contemporary American prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Bowen Davies (September 26, 1862 – October 24, 1928) was an avant-garde American artist and influential advocate of modern art in the United States c. 1910–1928.
