La Grande Eclipse

Former TitleThe Great Eclipse

Artist John E. Buck (American, born 1946)

Publisher Landfall Press (American)

Date1982

MediumColor woodcut on paper

DimensionsPlate: 75 1/2 × 31 1/2 inches (191.77 × 80.01 cm)
Framed: 85 × 41 1/4 inches (215.9 × 104.78 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: acquired through the generosity of the Print Society

Object number2004.2

Signedbottom margin: "TP John E. Buck '82"

Edition/State/Prooftrial proof, ed. 20

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DescriptionWithin a border of red rectangles, on black ground with white geometric, organic, and freehand lines, flat schematic red figure with square shoulders, straight hanging arms, and skull-like black head outlined in white, is surmounted by red crescent facing right and curving above head and below chin.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

In 1982, there were seven eclipses—the maximum possible in any one year! Three were total lunar eclipses and four were partial solar eclipses. John Buck commemorated this extraordinary occurrence in La Grande Eclipse. Here, a six-foottall, crescent moon-headed male figure meets our gaze. X-ray images of skull, spine, ribs, arms, hands and legs are revealed within his red-inked body. Floating in the surrounding black space are spinning and spiraling forms as well as earthly visions of a city skyline, an igloo, a diving fish, an hourglass, a fountain, a pyramid and a window. Buck asks us to consider the wonder of our place in the universe.

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