The Forest of Arden

Albert Pinkham Ryder

1888–97 (?), reworked 1908 (?) · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Beginning in the 1880s Ryder often turned to literary themes as subjects for his paintings. Here Ryder uses a scene from Shakespeare's comedy, "As You Like It," as a point of departure for the depiction of landscape. The figures are relegated to an unassuming position in the lower left corner of the canvas. They have usually been identified as Rosalind (disguised in male costume) and Celia, who have escaped from the court of Duke Frederick into the Forest of Arden. However, they may well represent one of several other pairs of lovers from the play. Ryder studied the local landscape of Bronx Park for this painting, simplifying and interpreting forms to create a personal vision of nature.

Artist

Albert Pinkham Ryder

Date

1888–97 (?), reworked 1908 (?)

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Bequest of Stephen C. Clark, 1960