Elizabeth “Liz” Beard [RA 2016] : Study for allegory of flourishing, 2021.
SAL record control number: 111451 ;
Record level: Item ;
Record type: Movable work ;
Work title: Study for allegory of flourishing [from the curator] ;
Alternate work titles:
2021 : Study for allegory of flourishing [from the curator] ;
Work date: 2021 [from the artist] ;
Work creator: Elizabeth “Liz” Beard [RA 2016] ;
Work medium: Oil on panel ;
Work dimensions: 22 x 8 inches [unframed] | 22-3/4 x 8-3/4 inches [framed] ;
Inscribed / signed front:
Verso:
SAL category: Oil ;
SAL sub-category: Allegory ; figures ; figures in interiors ;
Archives of American Art subjects:
Description of work:
Human Hope and Flourishing.
The Allegory of Hope
I chose this theme in response to the difficulty our country and world has recently endured, but also because hope is essential to our human experience. 2020’s worldwide pandemic along with growing political tensions left so many of us feeling discouraged and for some devastated. Contemplating on Human Hope seems timely. Although my idea was in response to recent events, my Allegory of Hope is a depiction for people from any circumstance.
Pictured is a young girl who is common, contemplative, and curious. She is dressed in subtle earth tones, but her head is wrapped in the color of a bright blue sky. The color blue to signify her “Blue Bird Spirit” of creativity, wanderlust, and poetry filling her mind with hope for the future. I chose to cloth my figure in earth tones in order to keep her in harmony with nature, while also being juxtaposed with architecture and sculpture, the building blocks of future society and reminiscent of western culture. She stands in the midst of a cool gray atmosphere, while reaching down to pick up a single brilliant orange poppy. Blues, grays, and greens fill the composition, building in brightness and intensity as the sky reaches the horizon. The brewing storm leading to a distant blue light horizon symbolizing the hope that she holds onto in the unknown brutality of life.
The Orange Poppy- The symbolism of the poppy flower as a calming flower comes from ancient times. In many cultures all over the world this flower is perceived as a symbol of remembrance. In this painting, remembrance of times of struggle, and hardship but also it is a symbol of consolation and resurrection, Hope. In some parts of the world the poppy flower is related to beauty and luxury which leads us into my second Allegorical Figure, Flourishing…
The Allegory of Flourishing
As a followup of the Allegory of Hope, I chose to depict Human Flourishing to remind us that in God’s good grace we can Flourish in this life and our hope is not in vain…
Pictured is a more mature woman who is healthy, beautiful, and at peace. She is dressed in fine fabrics, holding her impressively long hair. The sky is consistently blue and beside her is a sculpture of a young boy to suggest offspring and fertility. While also being juxtaposed with architecture and sculpture reminiscent of western culture, hers is new and pristine. She stands inside the structures safely, observing nature in the comfort of her home rather than in its brutality. Soft Blues, and cool greens fill the composition invoking a feeling of peace as the sun rises above the horizon, the start of a new day.
In the corner of the composition, apples roll casually across the floor to symbolize abundance. The scene is one of stability, motherhood, joy, and maternal strength. A symbol of flourishing in western culture and for humanity at Large.
Provenance:
2021 Elizabeth “Liz” Beard [RA 2016], the artist .
Exhibition history:
2021 SCNY Allegory today : the library commission November 8-19.
References / citations:
Notes:
– $1,200 USD
Document information
Document permalink:
http://salmagundi.org/artwork/?p=111444
Digital-born document number:
SAL.2021.111451
Record birth date:
July 4, 2021
Last updated: November 10, 2021 at 14:31 pm