Mirror of Illusion

1916

Arthur B. Davies

Associated Names
Arthur B. Davies

Artist, American, 1862 - 1928

Frank A. Nankivell

Printer, American, born Australia, 1869 - 1959

The image shows elongated, curving lines and faint silhouettes forming an abstract composition. The figures are reminiscent of human forms, like a line of people moving in synchrony. The abstract piece features blurred lines, indistinct outlines, and shapes resembling waves or flowing fabric, adding to the dynamic movement of the scene.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint with softground etching and roulette in black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Gift of the Lasky Charitable Lead Trust)

  • Dimensions

    plate: 16.19 × 21.59 cm (6 3/8 × 8 1/2 in.)
    sheet: 23.81 × 29.85 cm (9 3/8 × 11 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.3274

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Czestochowski 1987, no. 31, ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Moses Lasky, San Francisco, California; Lasky Charitable Lead Trust, New York, 2002; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2004; acquired 2015 by National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1987

  • Czestochowski, Joseph S. Arthur B. Davies: A Catalogue Raisonné of the Prints. Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1987, pp. 99-100, no. 31, ii/ii.

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: Frank A. Nankivell / printer; lower right in black ink: Arthur B. Davies; along the lower edge in graphite by unknown hand: Mirror of Illusions 2nd of the Two states ed 25 1920 St[not deciphered] 29[crossed out]; lower right in red and black ballpoint pen by unknown hand: 34 [circled]; upper right verso in graphite by unknown hand: 4038D-C; lower right verso in graphite by unknown hand: 29. Mirror of Illusion

Watermarks

TUSCANY / (ITALY) / [square symbol]

Wikidata ID

Q77010154

You may be interested in

Loading Results