“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton, “Vesalius in Zante,” 1902. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Ellen Lanyon, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."--Edith Wharton, "Vesalius in Zante," 1902. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1975, acrylic on canvas, 38 ¹⁄₂ x 48 ¹⁄₈ in. (97.8 x 122.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.169

Artwork Details

Title: “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton, “Vesalius in Zante,” 1902. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist: Ellen Lanyon
Date: 1975
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 38 ¹⁄₂ x 48 ¹⁄₈ in. (97.8 x 122.2 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums: acrylic
Mediums Description: acrylic on canvas
Classifications: Painting
Subjects: Figure — fragment — hand
Animal — insect — moth
Dress — accessory — handkerchief
Object — flower — rose
Object — furniture — mirror
Object — other — candlestick
Object Number: 1984.124.169
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.169