John La Farge (New York, 1835 - 1910, Providence)
The Recording Angel, 1890
Watercolor on paper, 20.7 x 26 cm (8 1/8 x 10 1/4 in.)
This vertical watercolor painting shows a winged angel set in an ethereal cloudlike space. The angel wears a loose white garment. His arm to the viewer's left is at his side with the index figure pointing down, and his arm to the viewer's right reaches up. The angel’s large wings are extended back, and his gaze is down to your left. In the midground to your left, another angel reclines on a brown patch of earth. This angel wears a turquoise and coral robe and gazes up at the angel in white while recording notes on a white sheet of paper. In the foreground to the viewer's right, a woman stands on the patch of earth. She wears a hooded robe in shades of blue and green. The woman’s right hand is placed on her chest below her neck and her gaze appears to be up and unfocused. The background is composed of various shades of blue and some grey.
Blue Room
Commentary
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