Search the De Morgan Collection
The Light Shineth in Darkness and the Darkness Comprehendeth It Not
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The title comes from the Latin Gospel of St John, which refers to Christ as the light of men the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The angelic central figure of the painting sits amongst light and rainbows, looking down with an expression of pity and lifting he…
Earthbound
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Walter Shaw Sparrow (1900) explained this painting as follows:
In a dark and desolate country, an aged king broods over his hoard of gold, while the dark Angel of Death approaches, a cloud-like mantle floating around her. It is strewn with stars and a moon shines dimly in the angels dusky wing, al…
A Soul in Hell
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
In the painting a seated man in rich robes is clearly in torment. There is nothing around him to suggest external reasons for his torment. However, when it was displayed at the Red Cross Benefit Exhibition In 1916 it was described in the catalogue as follows:
This man, surrounded by all that is be…
Luna
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Luna depicts the moon personified as a young woman with blond wavy hair, draped in blue robes resting in the crescent of the moon. The ropes in which she is entwined may symbolise bondage to her constant round. The artist may also have had in mind the classical idea of the Moon Goddess as controller…
Twilight
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This work is a preparatory sketch in oil for a larger uncompleted painting.
The painting is one of several allegorical works produced by Evelyn on the theme of the elements. Twilight is defined as a light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon . Here we see the personification of daytim…
Venus and Cupid
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Like many of Evelyn De Morgan’s early works this painting is inspired by mythology. Venus, the Roman Goddess of love and beauty is said to have sprung from the froth of the sea. However the sea shells represented here have a dual meaing as they also symbolise female fertility and sexual potency. Ven…
Evening Star over the Sea
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The evening star is more commonly known as the planet Venus, which is often visible in the night sky at sunset. Venus is also the planet of love and frequently depicted in art as a beautiful woman. Evelyn often chose to personify elements such as the Moon, Mist and Stars not only reinforcing her…
Boreas and the Fallen Leaves
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Boreas is the ancient Greek god of the north wind, and the most important of the four wind gods. He was winged and had two faces: one to see where he was going and one to see where he had come from. In this painting he is depicted swirling round a large gnarled tree, with the leaves depicted as maid…
Phosphorus and Hesperus
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This painting inspired by Greek Mythology depicts the Morning star (Phosphorus) and the Evening star (Hesperus) and alludes to the circle of life. Phosphorus is rising, his torch held erect, heralding the morning which is lightening the sky behind him. In comparison Hesperuss evening starlight is f…
Demeter Mourning for Persephone
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Demeter was the Greek goddess of the earth, particularly the fruits of the fields, and as normal she is represented here as the corn-goddess. Her hair is covered with ears of corn, from which poppies drop around her. Her daughter, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken beneath the earth to his…
