Angel of Death

Robert Windham, Angel of Death, 1979, catalpa, 126 347 58 in. (30.517.019.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. James L. Whitehead and Mr. P. Elliot Ellis, 1980.108.2

Artwork Details

Title
Angel of Death
Date
1979
Dimensions
126 347 58 in. (30.517.019.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. James L. Whitehead and Mr. P. Elliot Ellis
Mediums
Mediums Description
catalpa
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure male — elderly
  • Allegory — death
  • Religion — angel
Object Number
1980.108.2

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 Death 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. In this piece the angel shows compassion for a dying man who lies comforted by her enveloping arms and sweeping wings.

Works by this artist (16 items)

Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Landscape, 1920, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1965.38
Landscape
Date1920
oil on canvas
On view
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Strong Woman and Child, 1925, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.50
Strong Woman and Child
Date1925
oil on canvas
On view
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Cyclist, 1939, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Barnett Malbin, 1973.170.1
Cyclist
Date1939
lithograph on paper
Not on view
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Landscape, 1936, conte crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.107
Landscape
Date1936
conte crayon on paper
Not on view

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Flax II
Dateca. 1970s
flax and linen
Not on view
Unidentified, Untitled (Child's quilt), ca. 1930, cotton and wool, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia S. Smith, 2016.57.1
Untitled (Child’s quilt)
Artist
Unidentified
Dateca. 1930
cotton and wool
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Unidentified, Untitled (Amish Doll), ca. 1940, cotton, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia S. Smith, 2016.57.11
Untitled (Amish Doll)
Artist
Unidentified
Dateca. 1940
cotton
Not on view
Richard Timothy Evans, Miss Havisham (Scrap Doll), ca. 1975, muslin and lace, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.138
Miss Havisham (Scrap Doll)
Dateca. 1975
muslin and lace
Not on view