Student Artwork Guide — Virgin Enthroned

Name Class Date

Abbott Handerson Thayer, Virgin Enthroned (1891). Public domain.

The facts

Artist: Abbott Handerson Thayer artsdot.com/en/artists/abbott-handerson-thayer/
Artist’s dates: 1849 – 1921
Painted: 1891
Original size: 184 x 133 cm

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Abbott Handerson Thayer died in 1921; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1991.

Virgin Enthroned — Abbott Handerson Thayer

How big is it?

The original measures 184 × 133 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When was this painted?

1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920

Shaded: the lifetime of Abbott Handerson Thayer (1849–1921) ▲ this work, 1891

Compare with

Mother and Child artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-mother-and-child-8YDGYD-en/
Mrs. William F. Milton, 1881 artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-mrs-william-f-milton-D2VM8B-en/
Girl in White (also known as Margaret Greene), 1888 artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-girl-in-white-also-known-as-margaret-greene-8XXE2F-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Espresso #59472d

Catalogued palette

#59472D
#1D1916
#9A9292
#6D6871

Palette: Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Espresso
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Artist

Abbott Handerson Thayer

Born in Boston, United States of America

early life and training

abbott handerson thayer, an american artist, was born in 1849 in boston, massachusetts. his early life was marked by a keen interest in art, leading him to pursue formal training at the bolestow (poland) school of art and later at the académie julian in paris.

artistic career

thayer's artistic career was characterized by his innovative approach to portraiture, landscapes, and still life. his work often featured a blend of realism and impressionism, reflecting the influences of his time. notable works include:

the virgin (1890), a masterpiece showcasing thayer's skill in capturing light and texture.

portrait of a young woman (1888), exemplifying his ability to convey depth and emotion through portraiture.

landscape with figures (1895), highlighting his capacity to balance the serenity of nature with the dynamism of human figures.

museum collections and legacy

thayer's works are featured in several prominent museums, including:

the museum art association of richmond (https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@@/a@d3c45v-the-museum-art-association-of-richmond-(richmond-united-states)), which houses several of his portraits.

the cameron art museum (https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@@/a@d3cjkh-cameron-art-museum-(united-states)-a-hidden-gem-of-american-art), featuring his landscape and still life pieces.

thayer's legacy extends beyond his art, influencing generations of american painters with his unique blend of traditional and innovative techniques.

notable exhibitions and collections on AllPaintingsStore

view abbott handerson thayer's artworks on AllPaintingsStore

purchase museum reproductions of thayer's work

abbott handerson thayer's life was a testament to the power of artistic innovation, leaving an indelible mark on american art history.

Where to read more

The artist Abbott Handerson Thayer artsdot.com/en/artists/abbott-handerson-thayer/
Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Virgin Enthroned

artsdot.com/en/art/download/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Thayer, Abbott Handerson. Virgin Enthroned. 1891, https://artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/
APA: Thayer, Abbott Handerson (1891). Virgin Enthroned [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/
Chicago: Abbott Handerson Thayer. Virgin Enthroned. 1891. https://artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/
Harvard: Thayer, Abbott Handerson (1891) Virgin Enthroned. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/abbott-handerson-thayer-virgin-enthroned-AQUPXN-en/

Virgin Enthroned — Abbott Handerson Thayer

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Mother and Child, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Abbott Handerson Thayer was about 42 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.