Artwork
Zeus
Zeus is a print by Steve Edwards. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Steve Edwards’ 2013 work titled Zeus is a mixed-media print that combines etching with linocut. The image presents a solitary deity against a uniform blue backdrop, his form rendered in vivid yellows, oranges and purples, while a contrasting purple shadow falls behind him. The piece is signed, titled and numbered on its reverse side, confirming its place within the artist’s limited series.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is the Greek god Zeus, depicted in a poised, energetic stance with one leg bent and the other extended. The bold coloration and the light‑blue splash behind him suggest a dynamic, perhaps mythic, presence, while the stark sky and minimal setting focus attention on the deity’s power and isolation.
Technique & Style
Edwards employs a hybrid process, first etching the design onto a metal plate and then cutting complementary elements from linoleum. This combination yields crisp line work alongside the softer, textured areas typical of lino. The palette—bright yellows, oranges, purples against a deep blue field—creates high contrast and a sense of movement within a relatively flat compositional plane.
History & Provenance
Created in 2013, the print is part of a numbered edition, each sheet bearing the artist’s signature and title on the back. Its limited nature and the artist’s direct involvement in both the production and documentation suggest it was intended for collectors and institutional holdings, though specific exhibition history is not recorded in the available data.
Artist & collection
Artist
Printmaker Steve Edwards carved bold, graphic gods straight from Greek myth. His prints Zeus and Poseidon bring thunderbolts and tridents to life in thick black lines and flat color, recalling ancient coins and temple…
