Faith, Hope, and Charity, Study for Window, Trinity Church, Chicago c. 1900 - 1902

Curator: This watercolor study by John La Farge, titled "Faith, Hope, and Charity," served as a preliminary design for a stained glass window. Editor: The luminous blues and striking figural arrangement give me a feeling of ethereal calm, like witnessing a sacred vision. Curator: Precisely. La Farge was deeply engaged with symbolist aesthetics and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. We can understand these figures as personifications of theological virtues, embodying the intersection of religious doctrine and visual representation within Victorian society. Editor: Each figure holds symbolic objects, yes, but their emotional resonance is stronger than any single interpretation. Look at how the composition echoes classical depictions of the three graces, imbuing this image with timeless, archetypal power. Curator: Indeed. When considering La Farge’s larger body of work, we recognize his preoccupation with spiritual and moral questions through the female form. Editor: Seeing how La Farge synthesizes classical ideals with profound spirituality helps me connect with these virtues on a deeply personal level.