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This painting is based on "Half-Angel in Doorway (after Rembrandt)" by Vincent VanGogh. Angels in the modern imagination are benign creatures hovering over little children and the helpless. In ancient cultures angels were often fearsome beings whom one did not wish to encounter. Angels were known to carry flaming swords and to slaughter innocent children. Our modern conception of angels, I believe, began with the story of the Annunciation. Somehow we formed the mistaken idea that this angelic encounter was a good one, not truly imagining ourselves in Mary‘s position. A young girl in a time when unwed mothers often were stoned to death was being told she was about to become an unwed mother. I doubt her immediate reaction was joyous. Unlike VanGogh’s angel, my depiction has the angel’s eyes cast downward, and bears no smile. I’d like to believe if angels aren’t always benign they at least have a conscience.

Except for the face, which is painted in a traditional style,...

Married; self taught; native-born Earthling. All artwork and descriptions in this gallery are copyright © Arthur Enrico. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited.