Angel of Birth

Robert Windham, Angel of Birth, ca. 1978-1979, catalpa, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. James L. Whitehead and Mr. P. Elliot Ellis, 1980.108.1
Copied 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

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
Keywords
  • Allegory — life — birth
  • Figure — child — full length
  • Religion — angel
Object Number
1980.108.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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.