Artwork
Stir of Shadowed Melodies
Stir of Shadowed Melodies is an ink print by Arthur Bowen Davies. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Stir of Shadowed Melodies is a 1920 lithograph by Arthur B. Davies, a prominent figure in early 20th-century American modernism. The work is executed in black lithotint on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a group of nude women in various poses, interacting and moving together. The figures are rendered in a loose, expressive style, with an emphasis on capturing their forms and relationships.
Technique & Style
Davies employed lithography with lithotint to achieve a range of tonal values and textures. The technique allowed for a spontaneous, expressive quality, evident in the visible lines and shading.
Context
The work reflects Davies' avant-garde approach and his interest in blending figurative and symbolic elements. His style is characterized by abstracted, dreamlike imagery and a muted palette.
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.
