Art Collections Online
Cycle of Nature
RICHARDS, Ceri Giraldus (1903 - 1971)
© Estate of Ceri Richards 2002. All rights reserved DACS
Date: 1944
Media: oil on canvas
Size: 102.2 x 152.7 cm
Acquired: 1959; Purchase; with assistance of Knapping Fund
Accession Number: NMW A 219
This torrent of human, animal and vegetable forms is reminiscent of earlier Surrealist landscapes by Max Ernst. Richards is also exploring visual imagery that evokes Dylan Thomas's poem of 1933, 'The force that through the green fuse drives the flower'. In 1945 he was commisioned to illustrate the poem in Poetry London, for which he made three lithographs incorporating the entire text.
Comments - (1)
He was very impressed by it but did not know what it was about or why it 'struck-a-cord'.
I also thought it was an interesting painting but, equally, had no idea about it.
This lead us an stimulating discussion. Reading the description above it looks like I need to read DT's poem.
If anyone feels that they can comment on the painting I would like to hear their views.
Cheers!