Reuben Nakian

Leda and the Swan (small)

1978

Abstract bronze by Reuben Nakian Edition of 9 The powerful legacy of Reuben Nakian has earned him a coveted place in the history of American art. No other sculptor of the twentieth ...

Incised with the artist's estate signature, dated 1991 and numbered 2/9

Abstract sculpture of the ancient Roman goddess Juno. Artist's proof. The powerful legacy of Reuben Nakian has earned him a coveted place in the ...

Sculpture of a woman with her arms raised in front of her and with one leg crossed over the other.

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Leda and the Swan” is by Reuben Nakian (1897 - 1986). He was an American sculptor and teacher of Armenian extraction. His works’ recurring themes are from Greek and Roman mythology. Nakian’s small bronzes achieve majesty and power which are not dependent on size and amplitude. With characteristic freshness, he has reinterpreted the classical subject of Leda and the Swan refining it in the Classical-Renaissance-Baroque tradition in a contemporary way. Dr. Robert P. Metzger gives us his aesthetic interpretation of this work which retells the myth in classical hedonism and freedom of expression showing Leda and the Swann prior to her being ravaged and during their first meeting. “The young virgin is fascinated with her new found friend and accepts him in a spirit of playfulness, contentment and wonder. She is dreamily available and shyly seductive as the deceptively tame swan snuggles up to her with its phallic-like neck.” Leda appears composed, placid yet open and available as compared to her more intense and passionate states in other of Nakian’s depictions on the same theme. This was cast at the "Renaissance Art Foundry" in 1978 and is so marked on the base being #5 of 7. It is believed that “no other sculptor of the twentieth century matched Rueben’s heroic renditions with the grand themes of Western Art. His erotic mythological figures exude a joyous energy of gesture and movement which place them among seminal sculptural achievements of the past one hundred years.” Nakian studied at the Independent School of Art in New York City previously known as the Robert Henri School … with Homer Boss...

Modern abstract sculpture of a woman and goat by renowned artist Reuben Nakian. The work features a female nymph figure lying back as a goat figure approaches in Nakian's iconic bloc...

Presenting a magnificent early Art Nouveau bronze by Belgian artist Jef Lambeaux(1852-1908.) “Leda and the Swan”, is an original Art Nouveau Bronze,...

Lady in Water is a limited edition bronze sculpture.