Provenance Acquired by American Legacy Fine Arts directly from the artist
Description
The tales of beautiful women luring men to destruction by leading them with the sound of their sweet voices come from Greek mythology. A Siren was thought to be a half human female and half bird. As described in Homer's Odyssey there were two Sirens living on an island located between Aeaea and the rocks of Scylla in the western sea. The mariners who heard their enchanting songs were compelled to sail toward them, only to meet fatality by crashing their ships on the rocky coast. In Gottlieb's painting, Siren Song, he implies a comparison of the mythological creature to a modern-day temptress who is aware of her beauty and knows how to dominate within her realm. The surrounding soft, tonal purples of the dawn light add to the sense of magic in the scene.
“Gottlieb’s personal fascination with interpreting ephemeral, yet deep, thoughts as a form of poetic idealism in painting prompts a distinct art language that merges the worlds of Realism and Impressionism. By applying the classical skills of the Old Masters, his contemporary subjects are given an enigmatic and timeless appeal.”
—Elaine Adams
Director, American Legacy Fine Arts
Exhibited
Adrian Gottlieb: Reflections, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, July 13 – August 17, 2018
