Angel, for "Jacob's Dream" c. 1818

Curator: This is Washington Allston’s "Angel, for 'Jacob's Dream,'" housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Allston, born in 1779, was deeply influenced by the prevailing religious sentiments of his time. Editor: It's so delicate, almost ethereal. Just the simple lines on this aged paper give it this incredible lightness. You can really feel the hand of the artist. Curator: Allston was part of a circle that believed art had the power to uplift the viewer morally. The distribution of such images served as an evangelical tool. Editor: Thinking about it in terms of labor, you realize the artist's focus on the simplicity of the line… it really amplifies the spiritual message. Curator: Exactly. Allston sought to imbue his works with a sense of divine inspiration, aligning with the broader religious revival movements. Editor: Ultimately, it’s the tension between the divine subject and the earthly materials that I find so compelling. Curator: It highlights how art became intertwined with religious and social functions. Editor: Precisely, a fascinating interaction between the celestial and the material.