Simian Ecstasy by Leon Underwood

Simian Ecstasy by Leon Underwood

Simian Ecstasy

Leon Underwood

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.
Title

Simian Ecstasy

 
Artist

Leon Underwood

  1890 - 1975 (biography)
Year
1933  
Technique
woodengraving 
Image Size
7 9/16 x 4 5/16" image size 
Signature
pencil signed, lower right 
Edition Size
250 
Annotations
pencil dated after signature; pencil titled in unknown hand, lower margin; editioned in unknown hand, lower left sheet edge 
Reference
National Gallery of Art, Rosenwald Collection, accession # 1980.45.1415 
Paper
cream wove 
State
published 
Publisher
artist 
Inventory ID
21844 
Price
$375.00 
Description

In this intriguing image, a nude man hangs onto a snaking bell-rope as if dancing with it; around him are shadowy figures and the watchful, carved faces of cherubs linging the belfry roof. Despite his early roots in Impressionism and Classical painting, Underwood clearly finds joy in the fluid nature of Surrealism.

From collectors Carol and Jim Goodfriend: "Underwood was a notable artistic figure in Britain, primarily for his sculpture, but also as a painter, printmaker, writer, philosopher and teacher. He has been called 'the precursor of modern sculpture in Britain' and, significantly, one of his students was Henry Moore. His work was influenced by ancient African sculpture (on which subject he was something of an expert) and the figures here clearly relate to his sculpture and paintings and show that influence.

Nevertheless, one wonders, where did this weird conception come from? The scene is a bell tower in a church and angels watch the action from above." (C & J Goodfriend)

 

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.