Three Figures Under a Tree

Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
In this drawing William Zorach abstracted the forms of a large tree and three nude figures into schematized shapes outlined with borders of parallel hatchings. The uniform treatment of humans and landscape points to the harmonious relationship he felt with nature on his annual summer retreats into the countryside. As he recalled of these idylls, “There were no problems . . . no gloomy forebodings, no literary solving of the world’s ills, only a joyous awareness of the world about us.” In addition, this drawing presents a modernist take on the traditional theme of bathers in the landscape.
Caption
William Zorach American, born Lithuania, 1887–1966. Three Figures Under a Tree, 1917. Graphite on beige, medium-weight, slightly textured wove paper., Sheet: 11 1/16 x 8 1/2 in. (28.1 x 21.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of William Bloom, 84.46.8. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.46.8_IMLS_PS3.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Three Figures Under a Tree
Date
1917
Medium
Graphite on beige, medium-weight, slightly textured wove paper.
Classification
Dimensions
Sheet: 11 1/16 x 8 1/2 in. (28.1 x 21.6 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower right in graphite: "William Zorach / 1917"
Credit Line
Gift of William Bloom
Accession Number
84.46.8
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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