Simian Ecstasy

 

Leon Underwood

  1890 - 1975 (biography)

1933  

woodengraving 

7 9/16 x 4 5/16" image size 

pencil signed, lower right 

250 

pencil dated after signature; pencil titled in unknown hand, lower margin; editioned in unknown hand, lower left sheet edge 

National Gallery of Art, Rosenwald Collection, accession # 1980.45.1415 

cream wove 

published 

artist 

21844 

$375.00 

In this intriguing image, a nude man hangs onto a snaking bell-rope as if dancing with it; around him are shadowy figures and the watchful, carved faces of cherubs linging the belfry roof. Despite his early roots in Impressionism and Classical painting, Underwood clearly finds joy in the fluid nature of Surrealism.

From collectors Carol and Jim Goodfriend: "Underwood was a notable artistic figure in Britain, primarily for his sculpture, but also as a painter, printmaker, writer, philosopher and teacher. He has been called 'the precursor of modern sculpture in Britain' and, significantly, one of his students was Henry Moore. His work was influenced by ancient African sculpture (on which subject he was something of an expert) and the figures here clearly relate to his sculpture and paintings and show that influence.

Nevertheless, one wonders, where did this weird conception come from? The scene is a bell tower in a church and angels watch the action from above." (C & J Goodfriend)