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By the Waters of Babylon
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Illustrates the Biblical story of the Exile of the Jews in Psalm 137:
“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there, we hung up our lyres
For there our captors required of us songs,
And our tormentors, mirth, saying Sing us one of the Songs of…
The Hourglass
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Evelyn De Morgans sister Mrs Stirling wrote the following description in 1924:
In an ancient chair, inlaid with ivory, a woman is seen seated. Behind her on the wall are glowing tapestries; a gold lamp of medieval design is suspended above her head. Her draperies, in wonderful hues of yellow and r…
S.O.S.
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Evelyn responded to the horror and futility of World War I with a series of works that attempted to come to terms with the conflict between good and evil. This painting takes its title from the then relatively new Morse code cry for help. The literal translation of the message (save our souls) also…
The Red Cross
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The Red Cross is considered one of De Morgans most successful paintings on the theme of war. The painting shows the figure of the risen Christ being borne heavenward by a choir of angels. He is symbolically clad in red and his arms are extended in a posture meant to recall his crucifixion. Below hi…
Moonbeams Dipping Into the Sea
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The personification of dusk and the moon was a recurring motif in Evelyns later works often against a calm seascape. In ancient lore the moon is associated with fertility and the cycle of life and is often portrayed by a triple goddess whose three incarnations are maiden, mother and crone.
Howe…
The Grey Sisters
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This painting depicts a crucial scene from Goethes Faust. God and the Devil (Mephistopheles) discuss a wager the devil says Allow me to take over the management of Fausts existence and you will lose him. God has confidence that mankind can gain salvation by its own efforts, in spite of the i…
Love’s Passing
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This painting is an allegory for the passing of time and the life cycle. The lovers in the foreground sit listening to the piping angel, with wonderful outstretched red wings. The male figures seems entranced, but the woman is distracted. The book open before them holds the key to her distress as it…
Mercury
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Mercury, was the messenger to the gods, the conductor of souls to the lower world and a dangerous foe. He is depicted here as a young athlete, carrying the caduceus (rod with twined snakes that possessed magical powers over sleeping, waking and dreams) and wearing winged sandals and petasus (Winged…
