Mythology

attrib. Victoria Adelia Maybee (Canada, 1868-1944) after Cuno von Bodenhausen (1852-1931) ‘The Song’, c. 1910 porcelain tile (actual) 7 3/8” high x 5 ½” wide (framed) 8 ½” high x 6 5/8” wide Notes: This refreshing plaque depicts a blonde in a white dress sitting in the grass and resting against a tree surrounded by lush foliage, some of which she holds in her hands and which forms the diadem in her hair. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer. A river runs through the background, separating her from the forested far shore and a light glow, like the flush of her skin, has begun to illuminate the clear blue skies from beyond the mountainous peaks. The flowers and white highlights are raised adding texture and further enhancing the perspective and dimensionality of the careful composition. Omitted is a nightingale, present in the von Bodenhausen original and the namesake of the painting, one of a pair with ‘The Tale’ forming ‘Voices of Fairyland’. Here Maybee has chosen to direct attentions towards the viewer, as is found in the originals companion, holding the viewer with the sitter in that brief moment that belongs “to the song of the bird on the branch over her head.” Scroll Down for more Info