‘Angel’ by Thayer Smithsonian CC0 with digital variations by Ken Harley

 

Artist

Abbott Handerson Thayer, born Boston, MA 1849-died Dublin, NH 1921

Publication Label

Abbott Handerson Thayer is recognized today for his ethereal angels, portraits of woman and children, landscapes, and delicate flower paintings. Angel is both a portrait of his daughter Mary at age eleven and an allegory of hope and spirituality. Thayer manipulated the paint with brooms, scrapers, his fingers, and even a paint tube to achieve his effects. The Renaissance-inspired frame, called a tabernacle type, was designed specifically for this painting by American architect Stanford White.

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Commemorative Guide. Nashville, TN: Beckon Books, 2015.

Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly

1887

Object number

1929.6.112

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Painting

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

36 1/4 x 28 1/8 in. (92.0 x 71.5 cm.)

See more items in

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department

Painting and Sculpture

On View

Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2nd Floor, East Wing

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic

Figure female\waist length

Religion\angel

Record ID

saam_1929.6.112

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0