Conscience and the Recording Angel
1818
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1818
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a robed angel holding a giant book while a worried man in a nightshirt clutches his head. The angel’s wings are detailed with careful lines. The man looks like he’s just done something bad—his face is twisted in regret. The book the angel holds is empty except for one blank page. That empty page might represent guilt or a fresh start. The artist used tiny cross-hatching lines to show shadows and textures, making the scene feel real. Check out Jones, P. at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
