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Angel from the Assumption [recto]

Augustin Pajou

1754

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Angel from the Assumption [recto] is a 1754 chalk by Augustin Pajou, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Augustin Pajou
When & what style?: 1754 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a floating figure wrapped in flowing fabric, arms crossed. The face is blurred, almost ghostly, and the body looks weightless against a blank background. The lines are loose and sketchy, like quick strokes with a pencil. The artist used only black chalk on paper, giving it a soft, smudged look. The signature at the bottom reads *"aleglich [sic] des+ louv"*—maybe a playful or messy note. Next, check out Pajou, Augustin to see how his other works compare.

About the artist

Artist

Augustin Pajou

Augustin Pajou (French pronunciation: ; 19 September 1730 – 8 May 1809) was a French sculptor, born in Paris. At eighteen he won the Prix de Rome, and at thirty exhibited his Pluton tenant Cerbère enchaîné (now in the Louvre).

See the richer artist page