Eileen Agar

Slow Movement

About this artwork

This large painting was inspired by the Throne of Ludovisi, a Roman marble panel which shows Aphrodite bring raised from the sea by two women. Although the painting is very different in style from the classical sculpture, Agar was interested in exploring the upward movement of the women’s arms, and the overall circular movement created in the sculpture. The painting contains sweeping, interlinking motions throughout. It also suggests a Spanish fan dancer, with arms raised in the air, wearing a dress decorated with spots or stripes. The use of blue recalls an element of the painting’s main inspiration - the sea, and also echoes Agar’s interest in taking inspiration from nature. In this painting, natural and fantastical forms are combined.

Updated before 2020

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Eileen Agar

Eileen Agar