Who painted Orestes and Pylades?

Orestes and Pylades was painted by Ivy Jane Edmondson Starr in 1959.

Where can I see Orestes and Pylades?

Orestes and Pylades is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Orestes and Pylades

Ivy Jane Edmondson Starr , 1959

Orestes and Pylades is a print by Ivy Jane Edmondson Starr. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ivy Jane Edmondson Starr’s woodcut Orestes and Pylades dates from around 1959 and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The print presents a nocturnal seascape in which two male figures occupy a craggy shoreline, their silhouettes sharply defined against a dark, turbulent sea.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a moment of tension between the two men: one stands upright, clutching a spear, while the other kneels with his head lowered, suggesting a narrative of loyalty or supplication. The storm‑laden background and the restless waves amplify the emotional weight of the encounter, inviting viewers to consider themes of conflict and devotion.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the artist incised the image into a wooden block, leaving much of the surrounding area uncut to retain deep black. This deliberate use of negative space creates a stark contrast that isolates the figures, while the swirling lines in the sky and sea convey movement and atmospheric unrest.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1959, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date and remains on view there. Its presence in the museum’s print and drawing department reflects the institution’s commitment to representing mid‑twentieth‑century American printmaking.