Artwork
Passing of Dreams
Passing of Dreams is an ink print by Arthur Bowen Davies. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Arthur B.
About this work
Overview
Arthur B. Davies produced the print *Passing of Dreams* in 1921. Executed as a black lithograph with lithotint on wove paper, the work presents a loosely rendered scene of three figures arranged in varying degrees of presence. The composition conveys a sense of transience, with one figure seated, another gesturing, and a third appearing as a faint, floating silhouette.
Subject & Meaning
The image suggests a moment of introspection and dissolution. The seated figure looks downward, perhaps contemplating, while the standing figure extends its arms, hinting at an invitation or release. The ethereal, half‑formed figure above reinforces the theme of fading dreams or fleeting thoughts, emphasizing a dream‑like atmosphere rather than a narrative episode.
Technique & Style
Davies employed a lithographic process combined with lithotint, allowing him to apply smooth, dense black ink in some areas while leaving others light and airy. The quick, rough line work and lack of fine detail create a spontaneous, sketch‑like quality, emphasizing movement and the weightlessness of the forms rather than precise representation.
History & Provenance
Created during the period when Davies was a prominent advocate of modern art in America (1910–1928), the print reflects his experimental approach to printmaking. While specific ownership records are limited, the work remains part of collections that document Davies’s contribution to early twentieth‑century American avant‑garde practices.
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.
