Mary

Henry Ossawa Tanner saw Mary, mother of Jesus, as a symbol of faith and fortitude. He painted many images of her and created this particular work during a difficult and trying time in his life. In 1914, the year his mother died, the outbreak of World War I forced his family to flee France for England. In this scene, Mary awaits the arrival of the angel who will tell her that she bears the Son of God. The glowing lamp, a symbol of God’s presence, adds mystery and suspense to the painting.

About the painting

Particulars

Neighbors at Smithsonian American Art Museum

On the same theme · Religion

Unknown

What it shows

In the catalog

Sources

Flight Into Egypt

Study for "Christ at the Home of Lazarus"

The Seine

The Two Disciples at the Tomb

Mother of Henry O. Tanner

Head of a Woman in Jerusalem

Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Atherton Curtis with Still Life

Scene of Algiers

Muskrat, before 1997

Cane with Boot-Shaped Handle, late 19th-early 20th century

San Jose, late 19th-early 20th century

Nuestra Senora del Carmen, ca. late 19th-early 20th century

San Rafael, late 19th-early 20th century

Worrying Mother Pig Toy, 20th century (pre-1960s)

Bright Light at Russell's Corners, 1946

Fish Decoy, ca. 1940s

Madonna della seggiola, c. 1795

Khyentse Dilgo Rinpoche, one of Chögyam Trungpa's root teacher, at Marpa House reception for Naropa Instructors, Spring 1987. Sue Secoff + translator at right hand., 1987

Buried with Him by Baptism, c. 1765

White Crucifixion, 1938

Study of the Crucifixion for "Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary", 1903-1916

Study of Adam for the "Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary", 1903-1916