Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Reuben Nakian
Leda and the Swan

1982-85

About the Item

Classical mythology is fraught with stories of sexual misdeeds by Zeus, King of the Gods. Often Zeus would fall in love with a mortal woman and then transform himself into an animal before acting on his desires. These have been recreated by many masters though the millennia. Here, Reuben Nakian masterfully, yet tastefully, recreates the tale of Leda and the Swan. Zeus, disguised as a swan, seduces Leda who later gives birth to the famous Helen of Troy and Pollux as a result.
  • Creator:
    Reuben Nakian (1897-1986, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1982-85
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Greenwich, CT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: G13041218151
More From This SellerView All
  • Hecuba
    By Reuben Nakian
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    Abstract black and ink wash on paper drawing. The powerful legacy of Reuben Nakian has earned him a coveted place in the history of American art. No other sculptor of the twentieth ...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Modern Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Ink

  • The Cocktail
    By Max Weber
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    Max Weber was a Russian-born Jewish-American painter best known for introducing Cubism to the United States. Weber’s abstracted depictions of interiors, landscapes, and portraits, we...
    Category

    1910s Abstract Still-life Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Pastel

  • Herodias
    By Reuben Nakian
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    Signed and dated 1952 and numbered 3/10 on the back. This sculpture was included in a 1966 exhibition of Nakian's work at the Museum of Modern Art, NYC. Reuben Nakian, born August ...
    Category

    1950s Abstract Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Afternoon Glow
    By Ira Barkoff
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    “Looking at a blank canvas can be both exciting and frightening at the same time. Most of the time exciting wins out and I plunge in. That is, I paint the landscape, which for me is ...
    Category

    2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Red Mountain
    By Cleve Gray
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    Abstract painting wherein a calligraphic brushstroke delineates a mountaintop.
    Category

    1990s Abstract Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

  • Letter to My Mother
    By Hans Van de Bovenkamp
    Located in Greenwich, CT
    Abstract bronze sculpture
    Category

    2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

You May Also Like
  • Open door - line drawing figure
    By Mila Akopova
    Located in Fort Lee, NJ
    Interior design paintings. The artwork was done with white pen on black watercolor paper 360g. The works are 11,5 by 16,5 inches in size, framed (black) with a styrene face on a mat board in black and white with sizes 16 by 20 in. Mila Akopova is New York artist. She graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in History and Theory of Art. Her Artwork got 3rd place at the 2020 American Art Awards, juried by 25 best galleries and museums in America, with artist from 63 countries, in category: minimalism. Also, several works took part in exhibitions of the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum and in the Cube Moscow exhibition space . It was published as the catalog: “The game of tic tac toe, or creating a collection in one year”. Several works by Mila Akopva were created specifically for the collaboration with Vintage Dream...
    Category

    2010s Abstract Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Felt Pen

  • New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
    By Carmen Cicero
    Located in Surfside, FL
    This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
    By Carmen Cicero
    Located in Surfside, FL
    This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
    By Carmen Cicero
    Located in Surfside, FL
    This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one appears to be possibly signed in the drawing itself. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Watercolor, Ink

  • New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
    By Carmen Cicero
    Located in Surfside, FL
    This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • New York School Abstract Expressionist Drawing Watercolor Painting Carmen Cicero
    By Carmen Cicero
    Located in Surfside, FL
    This is a stylized figurative abstract expressionist nude. This one is hand signed and dated. From the style we are estimating it to the 1970's They have abstract stylized erotic male and female nude elements to them some have a stylized American flag. Carmen Louis Cicero (born 1926) is an American figurative abstract painter from Newark, New Jersey. Cicero attended the New Jersey State Teachers College (now Kean University) from 1947 to 1951. Cicero studied painting under Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell at Hunter College in 1953. He received an MFA from Montclair State University in 1991.Cicero started as an abstract painter and use automatism in his drawings of memories of places. In 1957, Cicero had his first solo show at the Peridot Gallery, New York, showing with fellow artists Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston. In the early 1960s, Cicero’s canvases began to be populated with intense, expressionist figures. These works positioned him as one of the earliest figurative expressionist painters of his generation. In 1971 a studio fire destroyed the work still in his possession. He moved to New York to a studio loft on the Bowery and started over in a dramatically different figurative style. In the 1990s, Cicero's style changed again, from figurative expressionism to visionary realism/surrealism reminiscent of magic realism. His work spans three periods and styles Abstract Expressionism, Figurative Expressionism, and surrealist “visionary.” In the late 1970s and 1980s and produced a body of work that was well received both uptown on Madison Avenue and downtown during the heyday of the East Village art scene. He was represented by the Berta Walker Gallery. He lives in New York City and Truro on Cape Cod. He is also an accomplished jazz musician. Cicero taught painting at Sarah Lawrence College 1959 to 1968. Cicero was a professor of painting at Montclair State University from 1970 through 2001. A monograph, The Art of Carmen Cicero was published in 2013 by Schiffer Publishing in Atglen, PA. Awards Guggenheim Fellowship 1957-58 and 63-64 Ford Foundation, Purchase Prizes 1961 and 65 Jackson Pollock- Lee Krasner Foundation Grant, 2008 Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

Recently Viewed

View All