#leda and the swan

[the-evil-clergyman]

Leda and the Swan by Heinrich Lossow (19th Century)

#heinrich lossow #art #paintings #fine art #19th century #19th century art #academicism #academism #academic art #painting #german art #german artist #mythology #greek mythology #leda and the swan #leda #zeus #jupiter #classic art

[balkanparamo]

Marcel Herrfeldt - Leda

ca. 1935

#art #painting #marcel herrfeldt #leda and the swan

[tragediambulante]

Leda and the swan, François Boucher, 1740

#art history #art #greek mythology #french art #xviii century #ancient greece #xviiie siècle #francois boucher #leda and the swan #leda

[justineportraits]

Felicia Wahlström (Harteus) Leda and the Swan

#harteus #leda and the swan

[zegalba]

Jean-Léon Gérôme: Leda and the Swan (1895)

#jean léon gérôme #Leda and the Swan #swan #body #forest #nature #illustrations #paintings #art #green #1895

[gatabella]

Marlene Dietrich in a garment of feathers and silk, 1935

Dietrich was inspired by the art subject of classic beauty, Leda and the Swan when she chose her costume for a party hosted by the Countess Di Frasso

#marlene dietrich #travis banton #leda and the swan

[dozydawn]

#swan #dolls #leda and the swan

[bebemoon]

"leda and the swan", created by travis banton and worn by marlene dietrich at a costume party for the countess di frasso, c. 1935 .

#marlene dietrich #193o's #costume #leda and the swan #countess di frasso #feathers #silk #looks #travis banton #queue

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Tony Robert-Fleury (French, 1837-1912) Leda and the Swan, n.d.

#Tony Robert Fleury #french art #french #france #leda and the swan #female #blonde #woman #leda #art #fine art #european art #classical art #europe #european #fine arts #europa #mediterranean #mythological art

[fullslack]

“Leda and the Swan” (1962), by Cy Twombly

#Cy Twombly #Leda and the Swan #painting #art #history #expressionism #expressionist #abstract art #abstract expressionism

[the-evil-clergyman]

Leda and the Swan by Emmanuel Benner (1888)

#emmanuel benner #art #paintings #fine art #19th century #19th century art #academicism #academism #academic art #painting #french art #french artist #mythology #greek mythology #leda and the swan #leda #zeus #jupiter #classic art

[balkanparamo]

Neil Moore - Leda, 2009

#art #painting #neil moore #leda and the swan #greek mythology

[uwmspeccoll]

Ambiguous by Nature

I wanted to share a beautiful rendition of Leda and the Swan by the renowned Irish poet William Butler Yeats (1865-1939). It comes from Wisconsin artist Mark Brueggeman, who taught in the Department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for 27 years. He is a versatile, talented artist known for his work in stain-glass, painting, drawing, and printmaking. This work has now extended his work to include the roles of both publisher and illustrator. According to a quote from hiddenstudiosarttour.com, Brueggeman states he has “always enjoyed the look of text incorporated into drawings and paintings.”

Brueggeman's artwork is a rare gem, a testament to his meticulous craftsmanship. Printed in an edition of 15 copies at Brueggeman's Atelier Vermeil Studio in 2015, the work is a blend of letterpress and intaglio prints on Root River Mill paper handmade by the artist and several of his colleagues, and published as a portfolio of broadsides.

The poem, rooted in a Greek myth about a sexual encounter between the immortal god Zeus and the beautiful Spartan queen Leda, presents a unique perspective. In Yeats’ version, he offers a provocative and ambiguous account of a sexual act. Brueggeman's visual interpretation of the poem adds another layer of intrigue, leaning into the vague nature of the poem itself.

The artwork and poetry blend seamlessly, taking on a sensual yet brutal quality. They intentionally leave much to the reader's imagination, allowing for various interpretations and assumptions. However, one thing is certain in the poem and the artist’s rendering: following the rash and impulsive act, Leda is left on her own, carrying the knowledge of the future consequences that their union has created.

-Melissa, Special Collections Classics Intern

View other Classics posts

#classics #greek mythology #ancient greece #zeus #leda and the swan #William Butler Yeats #Mark Brueggeman #Atelier Vermeil Studio #Root River Mill #letterpress #intaglio #book art #poetry #irish poetry #w.b. yeats #yeats #greek gods #mythology #artists books #classical mythology

[justineportraits]

Jean Frédéric Maximilien de Waldeck Leda and the Swan

#jean frederic maximilien de waldek #leda and the swan

[mioritic]

Eric Gill (British, 1882–1940)

Frontispiece engraving for Aldous Huxley's Leda (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Co., 1929)

#eric gill #leda #leda and the swan #aldous huxley #1929 #british art

[gatabella]

Edmund Lowe, Marlene Dietrich and Loretta Young, 1935

#marlene dietrich #loretta young #leda and the swan