Arthur Boyd’s ‘The Old Woman of the Sea’ is a frenetic image. It responds to a poem by Peter Stark, telling the myth of a primordial being whose essence in the ocean. She arrived with a basket holding the sea, pouring the water out so that all land – except the top of one mountain – was water.

In Boyd’s rendition there is a fierce intensity to the myth. Tenderness, pity, tragedy, and the affection of bodies, anger and lust swirl together – a tidal wave of violent creation.

Rare to market, The old woman of the sea is a highly collectible museum quality etching. It was published as part of a portfolio of etchings entitled Tomorrows Ghost. Represented at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Australia and National Gallery of Victoria, it will captivate your collection.

Arthur BOYD (1920 - 1999)
'The Old Woman of the Sea.' 1971
etching on paper
Edition of 50
Image Size: 30 x 25 cm
Framed size: 52 x 45 x 2 cm
Signed: Editioned and signed in lower margin
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Another impression from this edition is in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Australia, Accession number 75.3.788, the National Gallery of Victoria, Accession number 1998.383 and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Accession number 381.1993.9

Condition: Very Good

© Arthur Boyd / Copyright Agency 2022