Deer Dance 1946

Anna Barry made this print, Deer Dance, sometime in the 20th century, and I imagine her setting up her printing press and methodically layering each colour. The palette feels earthy but vibrant with warm browns, reds, and greens, bringing the scene to life with a sense of rhythm. I'm drawn to the dancers, adorned with deer antlers, their bodies bent in what feels like a trance. I wonder what Barry felt as she created this image. Was she moved by the dance and its spiritual significance? Did she want to reflect on Native American culture? There's a certain stillness, like a snapshot taken mid-performance. The musicians in the background, with their drums, are the heartbeat of the scene. This composition reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley's folk art. It's a great example of how artists borrow and converse across time, finding new ways to celebrate movement and ceremony. Painting, like dancing, is a way of expressing the intangible, embracing mystery.