Eros / Thanatos
published 1968
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
portfolio of eight woodcuts with four poems, plus colophon on Kochi Japanese handmade paper
Dimensions
Overall (closed): 34 x 27 x 1 cm (13 3/8 x 10 5/8 x 3/8 in.) overall (opened): 54 x 27 cm (21 1/4 x 10 5/8 in.)
Classification
Portfolio
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ruth and Jacob Kainen Collection
Accession Number
1996.88.5.a-h
Art Historical Context
**Eros / Thanatos** (1968) by Richard is a striking portfolio that juxtaposes the Freudian forces of life and love (Eros) with death and destruction (Thanatos). during the turbulent late 1960s—a time of social upheaval, the Vietnam War, and cultural introspection—this work resonates with the era's fascination with human instincts and mortality. The title alone evokes profound psychological tension, inviting viewers to ponder the eternal dance between creation and oblivion through Upton's bold imagery. Comprising eight woodcuts paired with four poems and a colophon, the portfolio is printed on...