Robert Windham, Angel of Birth, ca. 1978-1979, catalpa, 13 x 7 1⁄2 x 7 1⁄4 in. (33.0 x 18.9 x 18.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. James L. Whitehead and Mr. P. Elliot Ellis, 1980.108.1
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Angel of Birth
- Artist
- Date
- ca. 1978-1979
- Location
- Dimensions
- 13 x 7 1⁄2 x 7 1⁄4 in. (33.0 x 18.9 x 18.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. James L. Whitehead and Mr. P. Elliot Ellis
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- catalpa
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Allegory — life — birth
- Religion — angel
- Figure — child — full length
- Object Number
- 1980.108.1
Artwork Description
Sculptor Robert Windham lived in rural Alabama and drew much of his inspiration from statues and gravestones in local cemeteries. He carved Angel of Birth from catalpa wood, a light-colored exotic hardwood that is native to the eastern United States. Windham applied tung oil to the surface to create a rich, golden finish that emphasizes the wood's subtle grain. The angel's joyful expression as she holds the baby close to her chest symbolizes the celebration associated with a newborn child.