Hermes and the Infant Dionysus 1900 - 1915

Arthur Bowen Davies's "Hermes and the Infant Dionysus" is a painting depicting the mythical scene of Hermes, the messenger god, carrying the infant Dionysus, the god of wine, through a lush, idyllic landscape. The figures, rendered in Davies's characteristically symbolist style, are depicted in soft, muted tones against a backdrop of blue skies and verdant foliage, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The work, painted between 1900 and 1915, reflects Davies's interest in classical mythology and his exploration of the relationship between the human and the divine. Davies was a prominent figure in the American art world, and this painting is a quintessential example of his artistic sensibility.