Artwork
Swan
Swan is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Mary Altha Nims. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1934.143
- Credit line
- Gift of Richard Seymour Bayham
About this work
Overview
Created around 1804 by Mary Altha Nims, this drawing titled Swan is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Rendered in a single sheet, the work presents a solitary swan gliding on a calm body of water, its reflection hinted by faint linear marks beneath the bird.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the graceful curve of the swan’s neck and the subtle tilt of its head, emphasizing poise and tranquility. The bird’s predominantly white plumage, contrasted with a small red‑orange beak and dark eyes, draws attention to its elegance while the placid water suggests a quiet, natural setting.
Technique & Style
Nims employs light, delicate strokes that outline the swan without excessive detail, allowing the form to emerge through suggestion rather than precise rendering. The minimalistic approach, with only the bird and its reflected outline, reflects a restrained aesthetic that aligns with early‑19th‑century interests in nature’s simplicity.
History & Provenance
The drawing, dated circa 1804, entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific acquisition details are not recorded in the available sources). Its presence in the museum’s collection situates it among other early American works that document the period’s artistic engagement with natural subjects.
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Artist & collection
