Arthur Dove American, 1880-1946

While many of Dove’s paintings focus on the ephemera of the natural world, in Abstract of a Threshing Engine Sawing Wood II, he investigated the physical forces of technology. In a thresher such as the example shown in this painting, steam is used to power the operation of the machine while belts connect to turning wheels that move the log through the saw. Following his unique signature style, Dove did not portray a literal copy of the object, but rather conveyed its essence. Steam is depicted emanating from the pipe in graceful orbs in the upper left quadrant of the canvas, and the saw’s teeth cut against the stillness of the sky in a marvelous contrast between industry and nature. Subtle, gestural variations in the brushstrokes convey the energy vibrations generated by the machine. Dove created two versions of this subject, a practice he reserved for rare occasions in his body of work.