Artwork
Angel of the Resurrection
Angel of the Resurrection is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This piece was made in 1801, when artists often used symbols like broken columns to show something lost or changing.
This drawing shows a winged figure with flowing hair and outstretched arms, rising above tangled vines and leaves. The lines are rough and busy, giving the scene a wild, almost restless feel. The figure’s face looks calm but determined, with one hand resting on a broken column.
The artist used a technique called lithography, which lets you draw directly on a flat stone. This piece was made in 1801, when artists often used symbols like broken columns to show something lost or changing.
Next, check out lithography to see how this printing method works.
Overview
Angel of the Resurrection is a pen-and-tusche lithograph created by Benjamin West in 1801.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a winged figure with outstretched arms rising above tangled foliage, conveying a sense of turmoil and transformation. The figure's calm yet determined expression and its resting hand on a broken column suggest themes of loss and renewal.
Technique & Style
The lithograph's rough, busy lines and expressive texture reflect the artist's direct drawing on stone, a characteristic of the lithography technique. The use of symbolism, such as the broken column, was common in art of this period, signifying loss or change.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…
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