Silenus 1921

Curator: Arthur Bowen Davies' "Silenus" presents a dynamic, almost frenzied gathering of figures. Editor: It has a nervous energy to it, doesn't it? All those rapidly sketched lines—the composition feels almost unstable. Curator: Davies often drew from classical mythology, as we see here. The subject, Silenus, a companion and tutor to Dionysus, was usually depicted as an older, drunken figure, but here the figures feel more idealized. Editor: Androgynous, even. The lines, though spare, convey a distinct sense of movement, creating a kind of ecstatic dance that I find compelling in its own right. Curator: This piece, now housed at the Harvard Art Museums, speaks to the early 20th century’s fascination with the pastoral and the primitive. Editor: A fascination often tinged with a certain societal anxiety. It’s interesting to consider how these figures, though classical in origin, reflect the changing social norms of Davies's time. Curator: Indeed, it is a work that speaks to how tradition can be reinterpreted, and even subverted, through art. Editor: Yes, it's more than just a pretty picture; it's a snapshot of a society in transition, reflected in its art.