Artwork
Cypress Bower
Cypress Bower is a print by Ernest Haskell. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Ernest Haskell’s print Cypress Bower, executed around 1910, is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The work presents a dense cluster of cypress trunks whose twisted forms intertwine, creating a compact, almost claustrophobic composition. The overall atmosphere is subdued, with most of the scene enveloped in shadow, suggesting a timeless, secluded grove.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a mass of ancient‑looking cypress trees, their bark and branches rendered as thick, interlaced forms. The tangled trunks evoke a sense of endurance and natural mystery, inviting contemplation of the passage of time and the quiet persistence of the landscape.
Technique & Style
Haskell employs a limited palette of deep blacks and muted grays, exploiting strong contrasts to model the forms. The chiaroscuro treatment emphasizes the weight of the trunks and the limited penetration of light, giving the print a somber, almost spectral quality that heightens its dramatic impact.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1910, Cypress Bower entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific details of purchase or donation are not recorded in the available sources). The work reflects Haskell’s interest in printmaking during the early twentieth century, a period when he explored atmospheric landscapes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ernest Haskell was an American artist and illustrator, internationally famous in his lifetime and remembered for his etchings, as well as engravings, pen-and-ink drawings, lithographs and watercolors.
