Short toil, eternal rest ! before 1865

This small print, bound in a book of poetry, shows an angel flying over a sleeping town. The print bears the title "Short toil, eternal rest!" but the artist is unknown. The print is likely from the late nineteenth century, a time when many sought solace in religion. Consider the rapid social and economic changes brought on by industrialization. This print uses visual codes to suggest a divine promise of paradise beyond earthly suffering. The moon, the stars, and the town below serve as symbols of earthly life. The angel represents a guardian figure, looking over those who are at rest. We see similar iconography within the institutional church – stained glass windows in cathedrals, for example. But here the image appears in a book, making it more accessible. To learn more, look at religious imagery from this period as well as books of poetry. This offers insight into the cultural context of the image, as well as its meaning and purpose.