Charles Blackman, in a way particular to him, merges worlds. While he frequently takes from the historical, emotional and personal, he also takes from the literary. He’s interested in storytelling – its ability to understand nuance, inspire and give shape to the events that plot our lives.

‘Orpheus’ is an ode to epic storytelling. It features the Greek hero, poet and prophet Orpheus, calling on his life throughout Western art. Indeed, Orpheus has taken on many guises – he is the subject of opras, plays, paintings and films. There is a quality to his myth, his attempt to retrieve his wife Eurydice from the underworld, that transcends time periods.

Blackman’s ‘Orpheus’ captures this complexity. Slightly abstracted, it pictures a placid face fading behind a harp, perhaps submitting to music. The lesson is perhaps about the power of art and beauty, its seductive transcendence.

An impression of this work is represented at the National Gallery of Australia. For collectors of museum-quality prints, Blackman and classical art, behold this poignant tale.
 
 
Charles BLACKMAN (1928 - 2018)
'Orpheus' 1983
Lithograph
Edition: 250
Image Size: 33 x 25 cm
Dimensions: 45 x 40 x 1 cm - mounted and ready to frame
Signed: Signed and editioned bottom right.
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Crayon-lithograph, printed in black ink, from one stone on thick smooth off-white wove paper. Orpheus the Song Forever Suite.
An impression of this work is represented in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. Accession no.: 84.1739

Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art’s image As New, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to paint surface. Image is in Fine condition.
© Charles Blackman / Copyright Agency