Artwork
Nymph with Satyrs (after Poussin)
Nymph with Satyrs (after Poussin) is a print by Leon Kossoff. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Kossoff made this etching in 1998. It follows a painting by Nicolas Poussin but isn’t a copy. The print shows a nude figure with satyrs.
Kossoff reworked this plate many times. He printed different proofs to test lines and shading. It shows how printmaking became his way to study drawing.
His etchings after Old Masters explore old ideas in new lines.
Look next at Frank Auerbach.
Overview
Nymph with Satyrs is an etching by Leon Kossoff, created in 1998 after a painting by Nicolas Poussin. The print is part of a series of etchings Kossoff made in response to works by Old Masters.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a nude figure surrounded by satyrs, reinterpreting Poussin's original composition in a new medium. Kossoff's work is not a direct copy, but rather an exploration of the underlying structure and meaning of the original painting.
Technique & Style
Kossoff's etching demonstrates his focus on line and draughtsmanship, achieved through multiple states and proofs. The artist's process involved reworking the plate to refine the composition, showcasing the expressive potential of printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print was developed in collaboration with Ann Dowker and later printed and editioned by Marc Balakjian of Studio Prints. Kossoff's etchings after Old Masters, including this work, reflect his interest in understanding the artists and their compositions through a new medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leon Kossoff (10 December 1926 – 4 July 2019) was a British figurative painter known for portraits, life drawings and cityscapes of London, England.
