Artwork
Evening (The Fall of Day)
Evening (The Fall of Day) is an unspecified painting by William Rimmer. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Evening (The Fall of Day) is an oil painting executed in 1870 by American artist William Rimmer. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where it is displayed among the institution’s 19th‑century American holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a solitary, winged figure poised in mid‑air, its posture suggesting both motion and repose. One arm reaches outward while the other is folded at the elbow, evoking the gesture of an angelic messenger or a mythic being caught in transition between day and night.
Technique & Style
Rimmer renders the wings with layered, feather‑like brushstrokes that shift subtly in hue, creating a sense of depth and translucency. The background is rendered in muted, atmospheric tones that recede, allowing the luminous figure to dominate the visual field and convey a tranquil, floating quality.
History & Provenance
Created in the post‑Civil War period, the painting entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through acquisition in the early 20th century. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate, reflecting the growing institutional interest in Rimmer’s allegorical and figurative works during that era.
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Artist & collection
