Speech is Born

Speech is Born

According to Edith Fetherston Speech is Born shows, "… the exact moment when mankind was conscious he could transfer thought by speech, and he is jumping up in the air in ecstasy. His lady love is admiring him; the griffin is frightened; the zebras are running away; the deer is startled; and the Poll parrot is imitating him." The painting is a vast landscape in an ambiguous setting with thick textured flowers indicating the ground. At the center of the work is the figure of a man leaping with his arms and legs outstretched. Another figure, a blue bird, a deer, and a monkey react to him, as the artist has described. This painting was originally entitled Water Lilies, prior to the additions of the figures and animals.

Edith Fetherston

Packwood House Museum, 15 N Water St, Lewisburg, PA 17837, 570-524-0340

started 1933, later changed

Please cite Packwood House Museum, Lewisburg, PA when using items in the collection.

Edith Fetherston Oeuvre

oil paint on canvas

25 x 30 in.

Still Image

1972.397

3rd Floor, Center Hall