William Glackens
American, 1870 - 1938\
Decoration, c. 1914
Oil and tempera on canvas
Although best known for his depictions of modern American life, William Glackens was also interested in the traditions of art. In this work, Glackens explores the visual culture of the Indian subcontinent, including references to a seated Buddha-like figure and two female nature sprits, which are found sculpted in the round at various Buddhist and Hindu temple complexes dating as far back as the second century CE. Glackens did not travel to India; rather, he sourced his ideas from a book on Indian sculpture and painting that he shared with fellow artist Charles Prendergast.
