A Virgin

A Virgin by Abbott Handerson Thayer

A Virgin, painted by Abbott Handerson Thayer in 1893, is an exemplary work of art executed in oil on canvas. Thayer, an American artist renowned for his depictions of ethereal figures and natural subjects, imbued this painting with a sense of serene spirituality. The work reflects Thayer's fascination with themes of purity and innocence, often symbolized through his portrayal of angelic figures and virginal subjects.

Thayer's background as a naturalist and his interest in camouflage are evident in his meticulous attention to detail and the harmonious blending of the figure with its surroundings. This painting, like many of Thayer's works, had a significant impact on both his contemporaries and later artists, influencing the Symbolist movement with its emphasis on mood and emotion. Thayer's contributions to art extend beyond his paintings, as he was also a pioneer in the study of protective coloration in nature, which informed his artistic practice.

"A Virgin" by Abbott Handerson Thayer, created in 1893, is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies Thayer's interest in idealized, ethereal representations of women, often imbued with spiritual or symbolic significance. The work is characterized by its soft, diffused light and delicate brushwork, typical of Thayer's style, and is part of the collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.