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.
- Accession no.
- 1930.245
- Credit line
- Dudley P. Allen Fund
About this work
Overview
The composition is dominated by thick, twisting trunks that converge and intertwine, creating a complex network of branches that resemble grasping fingers.
Cypress Bower (1910) is a woodcut print by the American artist Ernest Haskell, depicting a dense, shadowy cluster of cypress trees. The composition is dominated by thick, twisting trunks that converge and intertwine, creating a complex network of branches that resemble grasping fingers. Haskell employs a limited palette of deep blacks and soft grays to render the scene, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow.
The light barely penetrates the canopy, leaving the majority of the image in a moody, atmospheric darkness that evokes a sense of mystery. Executed during the height of Haskell's career as a prominent woodcut artist, the work exemplifies his mastery of the medium and his ability to convey emotional depth through stark contrasts and intricate linework. This piece reflects the early 20th-century American interest in natural forms and the expressive potential of printmaking, showcasing Haskell's unique style that blends realism with a slightly surreal, almost ghostly ambiance.
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.
