Chapel Window c. 1939

Vera Van Voris made this work, Chapel Window, using graphite and colored pencil. The sketch of this window alludes to an era of grand religious architecture. However, the crumbling stone and empty space where glass would sit implies that the window, and perhaps the chapel, has fallen into disrepair. Van Voris, who lived through a turbulent time in American history, may be commenting on the state of religious institutions during her lifetime. The choice to depict a chapel window as a drawing invites us to reflect on art's role in capturing and preserving cultural memory. By choosing an abandoned architectural structure, Van Voris seems to ask, is this the future of religion? To fully understand the social commentary embedded in this drawing, we need to delve into the cultural history of the time, examining religious trends, architectural preservation movements, and the artist's personal background. It is through this kind of social and institutional history that the power of art to challenge existing social norms can be recognized.