This drawing features an array of geometric shapes and intricate line patterns arranged in an abstract manner. At the center, there's a rectangular formation with a circular pattern inside. On either side of the central shape, there are additional circular designs divided into segments, with one on the right that looks like a sun. At the top and bottom of the drawing are several vertical and horizontal lines that connect to other circular and angular forms. These forms themselves are made up of small swirling lines that look almost like cursive letters of varying sizes. The lines and shapes are drawn in dark blue on off-white paper that appears slightly wrinkled.
Read the visual description

This drawing features an array of geometric shapes and intricate line patterns arranged in an abstract manner. At the center, there's a rectangular formation with a circular pattern inside. On either side of the central shape, there are additional circular designs divided into segments, with one on the right that looks like a sun. At the top and bottom of the drawing are several vertical and horizontal lines that connect to other circular and angular forms. These forms themselves are made up of small swirling lines that look almost like cursive letters of varying sizes. The lines and shapes are drawn in dark blue on off-white paper that appears slightly wrinkled.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Sacred Sheet Sent from Holy Mother Wisdom by Her Angel of Many Signs

Semantha Fairbanks and Mary Wicks

Date
1843
Medium
pen and blue ink
Dimensions
sight size: 43.2 x 34 cm (17 x 13 3/8 in.) framed: 53.3 x 44.1 cm (21 x 17 3/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1971.83.26
Credit line
Gift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • mixed motif
Inscription

upper center verso on attached sheet: A sacred Sheet sent from Holy Mother Wisdom, by her / ... (3 lines of script) / Instrs. Semantha Fairbanks and / Mary Wicks

NGA object ID 52972. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.