The Words She Spake Came as Through Bubbling Honey 1885

Will Hicock Low created this work, "The Words She Spake Came as Through Bubbling Honey," using watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. This piece invites us to consider the role of classical mythology in late 19th-century American art, a period deeply engaged with questions of beauty, morality, and cultural identity. The scene depicts a meeting between a mortal woman and Hermes, the Greek messenger god. Low's careful rendering of idealized forms and the idyllic setting evokes a sense of timeless beauty, characteristic of the Aesthetic movement. The choice of subject matter, drawn from classical literature, reflects a desire to connect with a perceived golden age, a way to ennoble the present through allegorical narratives. The composition is highly structured, reflecting a classical emphasis on order and harmony, yet the sensuality of the figures indicates an interest in exploring human emotions. To fully understand this work, one might delve into the artistic and literary circles of the time, examining journals, letters, and exhibition reviews. These sources would reveal the debates around classicism, naturalism, and the role of art in shaping public values.