Lucia WIlcox American, 1902-1974
Angels 42, 1942
Oil on canvas
28 x 42 inches
Angels 2 from 1942 is a captivating and ethereal piece that exemplifies the artist's fascination with the intersection of the celestial and the earthly. This work, created during...
Angels 2 from 1942 is a captivating and ethereal piece that exemplifies the artist's fascination with the intersection of the celestial and the earthly. This work, created during a time of global turmoil, reflects Wilcox’s deep exploration of spirituality, the afterlife, and the idea of transcendence. Through her use of color, form, and composition, Wilcox invites the viewer into a serene, otherworldly landscape where the boundaries between the physical world and the spiritual realm blur. In Angels 2 , Wilcox presents a vast, expansive landscape, dominated by a sky that swirls with vivid bands of pink, red, and blue. The sky is alive with movement, as streaks of color flow across the canvas, suggesting both the passage of time and the presence of unseen forces at work. This dynamic sky serves as a backdrop for the central figures of the painting: a group of ethereal, angelic beings who appear to be descending from or ascending to the heavens. The angels themselves are rendered in delicate, almost translucent whites, their forms blending seamlessly with the surrounding clouds and sky. They are depicted with simple, flowing lines that convey both grace and fluidity. These figures seem to float effortlessly above the undulating landscape below, their poses suggesting a sense of calm and serenity. The way Wilcox has painted them gives the impression of beings made of light, further enhancing the spiritual quality of the piece. The lower portion of the painting is more subdued, with a landscape rendered in soft whites, grays, and hints of pink. The terrain appears almost dreamlike, with gentle slopes and minimal detail, allowing the viewer’s focus to remain on the interaction between the angels and the sky. A subtle contrast is created by the presence of small, dark birds flying in formation across the canvas, their starkness against the light background serving as a reminder of the connection between earth and sky. The title Angels 2 suggests that the painting is a meditation on the nature of these celestial beings and their relationship with the earthly realm. The angels in the painting can be seen as messengers or guardians, figures who exist between the human world and the divine. Their placement in the sky, moving through the swirling colors, could symbolize the journey of the soul, the transition from life to the afterlife, or the ongoing connection between the material and spiritual worlds. The use of color in the painting is particularly symbolic. The reds and pinks in the sky might represent the warmth and love associated with the divine, while the blues could signify peace and tranquility. The blending of these colors in the sky suggests a harmonious union of these qualities, creating a space where the angels move freely, unbound by the constraints of the earthly world. The birds, small but significant, could symbolize the souls of the departed, making their way either toward the heavens or continuing their journey in the afterlife. Their presence in the painting adds a layer of depth, suggesting that the angels are not alone in their domain but are part of a larger cosmic order that includes all living beings. Angel was created in 1942, during the height of World War II, a time when the world was engulfed in conflict and uncertainty. It is likely that this painting was influenced by the prevailing mood of the time, as people grappled with the horrors of war and sought solace in spirituality and the hope for a better world. Wilcox’s portrayal of angels could be seen as a response to this context, offering a vision of peace and protection in a world that was desperately in need of both.
Provenance
Ex-collectionMaria and Conrad Janis
The American Folk Art Museum until 2024