Artwork
Free of Clouds
Free of Clouds is an ink print by Arthur B. Davies. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: Arthur B. Davies; lower right verso in graphite by unknown hand: Gi 41.11
About this work
Overview
Free of Clouds, a 1920 lithograph with lithotint in black on wove paper by Arthur B. Davies, exemplifies the artist's experimental approach to modern art during the early 20th century.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts four loosely rendered figures: two standing women interacting, a kneeling man holding a flower-bearing branch, and a seated woman resting on her elbow. The scene's meaning is open to interpretation, with the focus on expressive interaction rather than narrative clarity.
Technique & Style
Characterized by quick, wobbly lines and a mix of smudged ink and sharp delineations, the work maintains a raw, sketch-like quality. The visible paper texture in some areas further enhances this unfinished, spontaneous aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Created in 1920, this piece reflects Davies's role as a vanguard in promoting modern art in the United States. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
Within Davies's oeuvre, Free of Clouds sits alongside other works from his avant-garde period, marked by stylistic innovation and a departure from traditional representation.
Legacy
While Free of Clouds showcases Davies's contribution to early 20th-century modernism, its broader impact and reception within the artist's overall legacy are not explicitly detailed in available information.
Own this work as a print
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.
