Violon d’Ingres 1970

Curator: Immediately, the muted palette gives this composition an unexpected solemnity. Editor: Here we have Ceri Richards' "Violon d'Ingres." It's currently held in the Tate Collections and although undated, it was created around 1970, toward the end of his life. Look at the layers of screen-printed shapes. Curator: The printmaking process itself must have been quite involved, with so many overlapping forms and textures. I wonder about the editions; what was the labor and material cost of production, and who consumed it? Editor: It clearly engages with the artistic legacy of Ingres, but the title alludes to the saying about one's 'other' talent. Ingres was known to play the violin as a hobby! This print could be seen as Richards' meditation on artistic influence and reputation. Curator: I'm struck by how the geometric forms interact with recognizable motifs to create a complex visual experience— a sort of dialogue between tradition and the avant-garde. Editor: Indeed, a fitting end to our discussion of this fascinating piece.