Apprehension

Art Historical Context

**Apprehension** by Arthur B. Davies (. 1917–1928) is an evocative drawing in charcoal and chalk on w paper, measuring 18 × 13½ inches (45.72 × 34.29 cm). Created during the artist's later years, this intimate work showcases Davies' command of monochromatic media, where the smooth texture of wove paper provides an ideal surface for layering soft, blended tones and precise marks. Charcoal lends bold, gestural depth, while chalk adds luminous highlights, inviting viewers into a personal exploration of form and mood. As a classified drawing from the Corcoran Collection—gifted by Davies' wife—this piece entered the National Gallery of Art through a deeply personal bequest, reflecting the artist's enduring legacy. Davies, active in the early 20th century, bridged traditional techniques with modernist sensibilities, and works like this highlight the immediacy of drawing as a medium for spontaneous expression amid the cultural shifts between the World Wars. Its modest scale draws visitors close, encouraging contemplation of its title's hint at tension in an era of uncertainty.

About the Artist

Arthur B. Davies · 1862–1928

Arthur Bowen Davies (1862–1928) occupies one of the most paradoxical positions in American art history: a painter whose own canvases were lyrical, dreamlike, and rooted in the classical tradition, yet whose organizational energy and curatorial vision helped force American audiences into direct confrontation with the European avant-garde. Born on 26 September 1862 in Utica, New York, to English and...