The Forest of Arden
Beginning in the 1880s Ryder often turned to literary themes as subjects for his paintings. Here Ryder uses a scene from Shakespeare's comedy, "As You Like It," as a point of departure for the depiction of landscape. The figures are relegated to an unassuming position in the lower left corner of the canvas. They have usually been identified as Rosalind (disguised in male costume) and Celia, who have escaped from the court of Duke Frederick into the Forest of Arden. However, they may well represent one of several other pairs of lovers from the play. Ryder studied the local landscape of Bronx Park for this painting, simplifying and interpreting forms to create a personal vision of nature.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Forest of Arden
- Artist: Albert Pinkham Ryder (American, New Bedford, Massachusetts 1847–1917 Elmhurst, New York)
- Date: 1888–97 (?), reworked 1908 (?)
- Culture: American
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 19 x 15 in. (48.3 x 38.1 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen C. Clark, 1960
- Object Number: 61.101.36
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Albert Pinkham Ryder
by 1924
Albert Pinkham Ryder
1912–32
Albert Pinkham Ryder
1912–17
Albert Pinkham Ryder
1897–98 (?)
Albert Pinkham Ryder
ca. 1880
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