Mary

Henry Ossawa Tanner, Mary, ca. 1914, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Dorothy L. McGuire, 1991.102
Henry Ossawa Tanner, Mary, ca. 1914, oil on canvas, 45 1⁄2 x 34 3⁄4 in. (115.5 x 88.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Dorothy L. McGuire, 1991.102
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Mary
Artist
Date
ca. 1914
Location
Dimensions
45 1⁄2 x 34 3⁄4 in. (115.5 x 88.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Dorothy L. McGuire
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Mary
Object Number
1991.102
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1991.102

Artwork Description

Henry Ossawa Tanner saw Mary, mother of Jesus, as a symbol of faith and fortitude. He painted many images of her and created this particular work during a difficult and trying time in his life. In 1914, the year his mother died, the outbreak of World War I forced his family to flee France for England. In this scene, Mary awaits the arrival of the angel who will tell her that she bears the Son of God. The glowing lamp, a symbol of God’s presence, adds mystery and suspense to the painting.

Works by this artist (744 items)

View all artworks
William Zorach, Seated Girl (with hands under legs), 1930, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.8
Seated Girl (with hands under legs)
Artist
Date1930
cast and patinated plaster
On view
William Zorach, Head of Abraham Walkowitz, 1943, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.130
Head of Abraham Walkowitz
Artist
Date1943
plaster
On view
William Zorach, Head of Robert Schwarzenbach, ca. 1930, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.150
Head of Robert Schwarzenbach
Artist
Dateca. 1930
marble
On view
William Zorach, Head of Eudora, ca. 1960, cast and painted plaster on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.47
Head of Eudora
Artist
Dateca. 1960
cast and painted plaster on wood base
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Paul Manship, August Jaccaci, 1930, plaster relief, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.42
August Jaccaci
Artist
Date1930
plaster relief
Not on view
Anthony de Francisci, Kate Fox, ca. 1947, plaster/mold, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.19
Kate Fox
Artist
Dateca. 1947
plaster/mold
Not on view
Anthony de Francisci, World's Fair Medal (reverse), 1964, plaster plaque, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.8
World’s Fair Medal (reverse)
Artist
Date1964
plaster plaque
Not on view
Anthony de Francisci, Science Medal Award, 1951, plaster mold/cast, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.21
Science Medal Award
Artist
Date1951
plaster mold/cast
Not on view