Angel - Trinity Church Mural 1876

This is John La Farge's study for the "Angel" in the Trinity Church Mural, made with graphite on paper. La Farge, a prominent figure during the American Renaissance, worked in a time characterized by rapid industrialization and social change. His art often reflected a yearning for spiritual and aesthetic values. In this sketch, the angel, draped in fabric, gazes downward, an expression of gentle contemplation on its face. What I find striking is how La Farge deviates from traditional representations of angels as powerful, celestial beings. Instead, he presents an angel with human-like qualities; a softness, a sense of introspection. The sketch feels deeply personal and emotional. The grid underlying the work reminds us of the methodical process of creating something majestic on a monumental scale. This piece really captures a moment of quiet reflection which perhaps invites us to consider our own place within a rapidly changing world.