Seventh Eclogue: Micon Offering the Branching Antlers of a Stag (Micon offrant sur un aute les bois d'un cerf) Possibly 1926

Editor: This is Aristide Maillol's "Seventh Eclogue: Micon Offering the Branching Antlers of a Stag," possibly from 1926, created with linocut, ink, and paper. I’m immediately drawn to how ritualistic the scene feels, like an ancient ceremony. What do you see in this piece, and what do you think Maillol was trying to capture? Curator: It's intriguing, isn't it? The antlers, a powerful symbol across cultures, often signify strength, fertility, and a connection to the natural world. Maillol, looking to the ancient world, likely uses them here to evoke a sense of primordial spirituality. What deity do you imagine is being honored in this linocut print? Editor: Maybe Artemis, or some other goddess of the hunt? It definitely feels connected to nature and sacrifice. Why choose the eclogue form? What memories would an ancient audience have connected to that form of poem? Curator: Exactly! The eclogue, a pastoral poem, traditionally idealized rural life and simple virtues. By placing this offering within that framework, Maillol might be commenting on humanity's ongoing relationship with the sacred, or perhaps yearning for a return to simpler times, where offerings to nature were paramount. The scene suggests harmony but also hints at loss, don’t you think? Editor: That’s interesting. It feels complete but there is a vulnerability in the lack of detail. Thanks for sharing that—it makes me think about how we connect with symbols from the past. Curator: And how those symbols continue to resonate with new meaning each time they are revived, yes? Wonderful.