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
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
Subjects
  • Allegory — life — birth
  • Religion — angel
  • Figure — child — full length
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.

Works by this artist (626 items)

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Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116
Central Density
Artist
Date1973
oil on canvas
On view
Werner Drewes, Pointed Brown and Floating Circles, 1933, oil, pen and ink, and pencil on wood panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.17
Pointed Brown and Floating Circles
Artist
Date1933
oil, pen and ink, and pencil on wood panel
On view
Werner Drewes, Suspended Forms, woodcut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1977.21.11
Suspended Forms
Artist
woodcut
Not on view
Werner Drewes, Summer Bouquet (no. 242), color woodcut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1968.9.81
Summer Bouquet (no. 242)
Artist
color woodcut
Not on view

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