The Great Spirit of the Woods
1834
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
About the artist
1834
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Great Spirit of the Woods is a 1834 watercolor by Raphael Lamar West, a American Folk Art work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a face with a long, white beard and hair, with roots and branches sprouting from the top of the head. The face is stern, with a furrowed brow and a scowl. The background is a dark, muted color, with hints of blue and green. The face appears to be emerging from the darkness, with the roots and branches twisting and turning around it. The overall effect is one of mystery and power. The painting is reminiscent of the work of other Romantic artists, who often explored themes of nature and the supernatural. To learn more about this style, look up the Romanticism movement.
A watercolour painting by Raphael Lamar West from 1834 portrays The Great Spirit of the Woods, with the artist’s signature, date, and title inscribed on the work.
Read the full account in the museum source.
