Defiant Angel 

Robert Maguire painted this image, “Defiant Angel,” most likely in the mid-twentieth century, using oil on board. Maguire was known for his cover illustrations for pulp fiction novels. The qualities of this image– the idealized figures, theatrical lighting, and the intensity of the emotion– reflect the demands of mass production. The artist would have had to work quickly and efficiently, and to an established formula. Oil paint is forgiving and allows for layering, so this was likely Maguire’s chosen medium. What’s interesting is the way that these constraints resulted in a particular aesthetic. The smooth, almost airbrushed finish is an integral part of the image’s appeal. The painting is more than just a reproduction, the artist had to know how to do this, with their hands. So it’s worth considering how the worlds of craft, design, and mass production are deeply intertwined.