Artwork

Angel of the Resurrection

Angel of the Resurrection, by Benjamin West, ink, 1801
Angel of the Resurrection, by Benjamin West, ink, 1801

Angel of the Resurrection is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This piece was made in 1801, when artists often used symbols like broken columns to show something lost or changing.

This drawing shows a winged figure with flowing hair and outstretched arms, rising above tangled vines and leaves. The lines are rough and busy, giving the scene a wild, almost restless feel. The figure’s face looks calm but determined, with one hand resting on a broken column.

The artist used a technique called lithography, which lets you draw directly on a flat stone. This piece was made in 1801, when artists often used symbols like broken columns to show something lost or changing.

Next, check out lithography to see how this printing method works.

Overview

Angel of the Resurrection is a pen-and-tusche lithograph created by Benjamin West in 1801.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a winged figure with outstretched arms rising above tangled foliage, conveying a sense of turmoil and transformation. The figure's calm yet determined expression and its resting hand on a broken column suggest themes of loss and renewal.

Technique & Style

The lithograph's rough, busy lines and expressive texture reflect the artist's direct drawing on stone, a characteristic of the lithography technique. The use of symbolism, such as the broken column, was common in art of this period, signifying loss or change.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Benjamin West

Artist

Benjamin West

American, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 1738–1820 London

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.