Odes and Sonnets List of Drawings 1887

Will Hicock Low created this artwork, Odes and Sonnets List of Drawings, using graphite and gray wash on paper. The sepia tones create a nostalgic and serene atmosphere. A reclining nude female figure is framed by natural elements and floating banners. The overall composition invites us to consider the interplay between the classical and the contemporary. Low uses the female nude as a focal point, drawing from classical artistic traditions. The figure's soft contours and relaxed pose create a sense of harmony and grace. Yet the inclusion of banners with text disrupts the traditional idyllic scene. The text introduces a modern element, juxtaposing the timelessness of the nude figure with the specificity of language and communication. This juxtaposition destabilizes the conventional symbolic meanings associated with the nude, prompting a re-evaluation of its place within the modern context. The formal interplay between figure and text highlights the changing modes of representation and communication at the turn of the 20th century. This piece encourages us to interpret and re-interpret our cultural values.