The Great Mother

Arthur B. Davies

National Gallery of Art

This painting displays many nude female figures in various poses. At the top of the image is the largest woman, with light skin and dark hair. She appears to have one arm slightly raised. Around her are rows of smaller women with their arms outstretched in various dancing poses. At the bottom is a row of seated women who look upwards. The women's bodies and the shadows they make create geometric shapes that are colored in bright shades of green, blue, yellow, and rusty red. The shapes and bright colors give the impression of looking at the women through shards of class or a kaleidoscope.