Winged Figure 1889

Abbott Handerson Thayer painted this oil on canvas, titled "Winged Figure," in 1889. The image blends classical and contemporary ideals, depicting a woman with angel wings. In the late 19th century, there was a growing sentiment that art should serve a higher moral purpose. Thayer was part of a movement that believed art could elevate the soul, offering an escape from the materialistic concerns of modern life. The artist's choice to depict the figure with wings evokes a sense of spiritual purity, drawing on religious art traditions, yet the naturalistic style and contemporary dress firmly ground it in the present. Art historians can explore the social and cultural functions of art by researching period writings on aesthetics, religion, and gender roles. Doing so helps us understand how the image may have resonated with its original audience, and still speaks to us today. The meaning of this artwork, like all others, is contingent on social and institutional context.