Reuben Nakian
Leda and the Swan, 1977-1978
Ed. 2/7
bronze
13 X 14 X 8 inches (33.02 X 35.56 X 20.32 cm)

Reuben Nakian (1897-1986)
Nakian began his career as a sculptor and a participant in the Abstract Expressionist movement, working and becoming friends with the likes of Willem DeKooning and Arshile Gorky in the 1930s and 1940s. He revered the great sculptors throughout art history, from Phidias to Bernini. His bronze sculptures and works on paper reflect his love of the classical style, while also bringing abstraction to his figures, namely females in erotic scenes.
His fascination with Greek and Roman mythology influenced his subjects, often depicting such tragic figures and stories as Leda and the Swan, and the Europa and the Bull. His nymphs, animals, and other figures remind us that the ancient stories of human folly and sensuality can still be relevant today.
Nakian’s work has been exhibited and seen internationally, from America’s most important cultural institutions, to the Venice Biennale. He has been honored with several shows at the Los Angeles County Museum, MOMA, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, among several others. Nakian has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, such as the Gold Medal from Philadelphia College of Art, Ford Foundation and Guggenheim Fellowships, and the President’s Fellow Award from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Excellent condition