Untitled (from the series White Nights)
Artist name
Artist year born
1903
Artist year deceased
1992
Artwork make date
1955
Artwork material
wood engraving
translucent paper
translucent paper
Artwork dimensions
height: 17cm
width: 11cm
width: 11cm
Artwork type (categories)
Print
Accession method
Donated by Alex Gama 1995
Accession number
69:4-1995
Label text
In this print Abramo explores the shifting boundaries between dreams and reality at the heart of Dostoyevsky's story. On their fourth 'white night' together Nastenka, despairing of her first love, agrees to marry the devotedly supportive narrator but just when the clouds clear from the sky and his dreams seem to be turning to reality Nastenka's original suitor reappears and she runs joyfully to his arms. Abramo shows the narrator watching while above the St Petersburg skyline the happy couple sweep up into the starry sky on a shaft of light, a vision entirely in tune with his own sentimental dreamings. Ironically he had earlier commented to Nastenka that life for real men 'does not float away like a dream, like a vision'.
Valerie Fraser
Valerie Fraser
Last updated date
2009