The Witch of Atlas, 1993 Digital

Item — Box: LTFBOX/MYERS Box 1

Identifier(s): H2019.53/9

The Witch of Atlas

Scope and contents

Shows a female nude figure with long red hair, wearing earrings and a necklace, holding two snakes that are entwined around her legs. To the right is a depiction of Il Porto with the domed pavilion looking out towards Galli Island. Above the figure amongst her red hair is the image of Foxy.

Described by Gianni Menichetti in 'Notes about Vali's drawings in this book', p. 10: (YMS 16336, Box 6/3): Inspired by Shelley's long poem by the same name. A lady witch there lived on Atlas' mountain, within a cavern by a secret fountain...to her eyes the naked beauty of the soul lay bare. Like the Mother Goddess from Crete she holds snakes in her hands. A fox is looking out from the top of her head. The Valley is in the background with its caves, cliffs, walled garden and running stream, and a glimpse of the sea.

Dates

1993

Creator

Myers, Vali, 1930-2003 (Artist, Person)

Conditions governing use

Copyright status

This work is in copyright.

Extent

1 drawing : pen, black ink, burnt sienna and watercolour ; 33.4 x 23 cm

Additional description

General note

Signed and dated in image lower right: Vali Myers 1993.

On reverse of this drawing: unfinished pencil sketch of two women.

Reproduced in 'Nightflower: the life and art of Vali Myers', Melbourne, Outre Gallery Press, 2012, p.16, and 'Vali Myers: Between the dusk and dawn', Bundoora, La Trobe University, 2013, p. 95.

One of 14 framed works, now deframed.