Leaving Paphos Ringed With Waves III 2009

Editor: Here we have Cy Twombly's "Leaving Paphos Ringed With Waves III," created in 2009 with acrylic paint. The painting features loose, almost frantic lines and writing over a vivid turquoise background. I'm struck by the sense of motion and perhaps a little anxiety. What historical or cultural context might inform our understanding of this piece? Curator: Well, Twombly often engaged with classical mythology and literature. Paphos, as you might know, is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite. So, consider this: What does it mean for him to depict *leaving* Paphos? What cultural narratives around departures, journeys, and the re-evaluation of classical ideals were circulating when this was painted? Editor: That's interesting! So it’s not just about beauty and the birth of Venus, but about…what’s left behind? Was Twombly engaging with a wider questioning of traditional power structures or established narratives? Curator: Precisely! The deconstruction of myth, and an exploration of the human condition through fragmented imagery, was very prominent at the time. It can even been read as questioning established art world dogmas and institutions. The scribbled, almost graffiti-like style subverts notions of academic skill and challenges the perceived authority of the artist's hand, wouldn’t you say? Editor: I see what you mean. The work then challenges the traditional heroic narrative, not just through subject matter but through the raw, expressive execution itself! I never thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. This reading encourages one to examine our modern relationship with these age-old cultural icons.