Winged Figure 1920

Rose O'Neill made this drawing, Winged Figure, with ink on paper, and it’s a dreamy image full of intricate detail. Just imagine the artist coaxing the angel from the blank page, line by delicate line. I sympathize with O’Neill, thinking about the gentle touch needed to create these delicate marks. It’s as if the pen is barely skimming the surface. Look at the thousands of tiny strokes, see how they build up to create volume and texture. The trees behind the figure are like dark scribbles, while the wings are more carefully rendered. I love the figure's pensive expression; is he deep in thought, or just a bit sad? Maybe O'Neill was pondering similar questions, about the human condition, while making the work. Perhaps the angel is a stand-in for the artist. All artists are in an ongoing conversation, reaching out to each other across time. O'Neill’s winged figure speaks of a deeply embodied expression, reminding us that ambiguity and uncertainty allow for multiple interpretations.