Silvae
1946
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
etching and aquatint
Dimensions
plate: 11.8 x 7.1 cm (4 5/8 x 2 13/16 in.) sheet: 16.8 x 10.2 cm (6 5/8 x 4 in.)
Classification
Portfolio
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Gerald Cerny
Accession Number
2000.166.233.g
Art Historical Context
**Silvae** by Václav Zykmund, created in 1946, the essence of post-World War II Czech art through its delicate etching and aquatint. Zykmund, a prominent in Czechoslovakia's modern art scene, was associated with the poetic realism of Group 42, blending surrealscapes with everyday motifs. This intimate print—measuring just 11. x 7.1 cm on the plate—evokes the Latin title *Silvae*, meaning "forests" or "groves," hinting at nature's quiet refuge amid Europe's recovery from devastation. Etching and aquatint were ideal for Zykmund's nuanced style, allowing fine lines for intricate details and tona...