Angel by Abbott Handerson Thayer Art Postcard

Abbott Handerson Thayer was an American artist (1849 - 1921) recognized today for his ethereal angels, portraits of woman and children, landscapes, and delicate flower paintings. Angel is both a portrait of his daughter Mary at age eleven and an allegory of hope and spirituality. Thayer manipulated the paint with brooms, scrapers, his fingers, and even a paint tube to achieve his effects. The Renaissance-inspired frame, called a tabernacle type, was designed specifically for this painting by American architect Stanford White. In history, angel paintings have graced many homes, acting as symbols of protection and blessings. The depiction of celestial beings, believed to shield households, has been embraced passionately.