Artwork
Study of an Angel
Study of an Angel is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Eugène Devéria. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Eugène Devéria’s 1839 drawing, titled Study of an Angel, is executed in graphite on wove paper. The work is a preparatory sketch rather than a finished composition, measuring a modest size typical of studies. It presents a solitary figure in a reclined pose, rendered with delicate, unforced lines that emphasize the figure’s relaxed demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a human form lying on its side, the head turned slightly outward, with hands gently clasped before the chest. Though titled as an angel, the figure lacks overt celestial attributes, suggesting that Devéria was exploring the idealized serenity and inner contemplation associated with angelic imagery rather than depicting a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Devéria employs a light graphite application, allowing the paper’s texture to remain visible. Soft, flowing contours define the anatomy, while minimal shading creates a sense of volume without heavy modeling. This restraint aligns with early Romantic sensibilities, where emotional expression and the suggestion of mood often took precedence over rigorous academic detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1839, the study was likely part of Devéria’s preparatory work for a larger composition or a figure study for a commission. The drawing has remained within private collections before entering a museum’s holdings in the late twentieth century, where it is catalogued as an example of the artist’s draftsmanship during the Romantic period.
Artist & collection
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