(Faun Serenading Nymph)

David Walling Humphrey

Early monotypist David Walling Humphrey learned the technique at the Art Institute of Chicago in the late 19th century. One of his monotypes was included in Joann Moser's catalogue "Singular Impressions - The Monotype in America", page 130, figure 138. He did most of his work around Darien, Connecticut and was associated with the Silvermine art colony.

Moser notes, on page 129: "A published description of his monotypes in 1931 applies to his earliest monotypes as well: 'misty, gray-green trees; graceful figures in diaphanous robes...fascinating satyrs, leering behind gray lichen-draped rocks - a world poetic in its conception, - a visualization of Debussy's 'A l'apres midi d'un faune.' ''

In this composition a faun (satyr) serenades a nymph with his Pan Pipe. She balances on a tree branch, looking down at him. The artist signed and dated the work "1909" within the image in the lower right and re-signed it and dated it "'10" in the lower right margin.