Artwork
Anahita: A Study for "The Flight of Night"
Anahita: A Study for "The Flight of Night" is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Morris Hunt. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The preparatory oil study shows a solitary female figure identified as a goddess, serving as the model for the larger composition titled "The Flight of Night".
The preparatory oil study shows a solitary female figure identified as a goddess, serving as the model for the larger composition titled "The Flight of Night". The figure is rendered in a naturalistic pose that suggests movement and anticipation, typical of Hunt’s portraiture. By isolating the divine subject in this study, Hunt emphasizes the mythic qualities of the final work, linking the mortal realm with an abstracted notion of night’s passage, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of femininity and the celestial.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas in 1878, the study presents Hunt’s fluid handling of paint, with delicate glazes layered over a warm ground to build luminous flesh tones and the diaphanous drapery of the goddess.
The canvas measures 64.8 cm in height by 94 cm in width. Its composition emphasizes flowing contours and attenuated form, aligning with the artist’s late romantic figural style and the preparatory function of the work for a larger composition titled The Flight of Night.
History & Provenance
Anahita: A Study for 'The Flight of Night' was executed by William Morris Hunt in 1878 as an oil on canvas preparatory study for a larger composition. It depicts a goddess figure and measures 64.8 cm in height by 94 cm in width. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is classified within The American Wing and displayed among the museum's holdings of 19th‑century American art.
Its creation is linked to Hunt's preparatory process for the ambitious mythological painting The Flight of Night. No specific accession number or exhibition history is provided in the available records.
Legacy
Anahita: A Study for "The Flight of Night" is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, listed under The American Wing and catalogued as a depiction of a goddess. The oil on canvas, measuring 64.8 by 94 cm, was created in 1878 and serves as a preparatory study for the larger composition The Flight of Night. Its inclusion in a major museum collection and its scholarly documentation have contributed to William Morris Hunt’s standing as a notable nineteenth‑century American painter.
Overview
William Morris Hunt's Anahita: A Study for "The Flight of Night", painted in oil on canvas in 1878, presents a preparatory depiction of a goddess. This work serves as an initial exploration for a larger composition. Hunt, a prominent figure in American art, was recognized for his contributions across various genres and mediums, establishing a significant presence in the artistic landscape of his time.
Context
As a leading portrait and landscape artist based in Boston, William Morris Hunt was a significant force in American art during the late 19th century. His versatility extended beyond painting to include lithography and sculpture. Elected to the National Academy of Design in 1871, Hunt was instrumental in fostering a Barbizon-inspired artistic community in the United States, bridging European influences with American artistic development.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Morris Hunt (March 31, 1824 – September 8, 1879) was an American painter.
