Untitled (Summer)

William Zorach (American, born Lithuania, 1891-1966) Untitled (Summer), 1914 Oil on canvas Jamee and Marshall Field Collection

Although known mostly for the sculptures he produced later in life, William Zorach created remarkable modernist oil paintings during his early years. This extremely rare double-sided painting by Zorach belongs to a series of allegories created in 1912-14 on the themes of spring and summer. The echoing colors and shapes symbolize the utopian integration of people and nature. Egglike and flowering shapes hint at natureís fertility, while the sensuous colors amplify the eroticism of the nudes. The imaginary subject and pure, intense color suggest inspiration from Henri Matisseís painting. Zorachís visionary paintings impressed many Cleveland artists, including William Sommer and Charles Burchfield, as seen in this gallery in their paintings, The Three Graces and Faun.