Artwork
Aurora
Aurora is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Will Hicok Low. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition explicitly depicts a woman, identified as the main subject, situated within a landscape that includes a tree and a fountain.
Will Hicok Low's 1898 oil painting, Aurora, functions as a mythological work centered on the titular figure, the Roman goddess of dawn. The composition explicitly depicts a woman, identified as the main subject, situated within a landscape that includes a tree and a fountain. As a piece of mythological painting, the work utilizes these specific iconographic elements to represent the classical narrative of Aurora.
The presence of the fountain and tree alongside the central female figure establishes the visual context for the goddess's domain, grounding the abstract concept of dawn in a tangible, natural setting. The painting's classification within the mythology genre confirms that its primary meaning derives from this ancient storytelling tradition, using the figure to embody the transition from night to day.
Technique & Style
Created in 1898, Aurora is an oil painting executed on canvas by Will Hicok Low. The work measures 134 centimeters in height and 84.5 centimeters in width. As a mythological painting, the composition depicts a female figure identified as Aurora, accompanied by a tree and a fountain.
The artist utilized oil paint to render these elements, adhering to the conventions of the genre while focusing on the central subject of the dawn goddess. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its material condition and physical dimensions are documented alongside its classification as a mythological narrative work.
History & Provenance
Aurora is an oil-on-canvas painting completed in 1898 by Will Hicok Low. The work measures 134 cm in height and 84.5 cm in width and depicts the mythological figure Aurora alongside a tree and a fountain. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been held continuously since its acquisition.
No accession number, specific gallery location within the museum, or documented exhibition history is provided in the available sources.
Overview
Will Hicok Low, an American artist and writer, completed Aurora in 1898. This oil painting exemplifies the American Impressionist movement through its depiction of a serene outdoor scene. It features a female figure at a fountain, subtly merging classical mythology with a natural setting. The work is presently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Will Hicok Low (May 31, 1853 – November 27, 1932) or Will Hicock Low was an American artist, muralist, and writer on art.
