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"...In Hoc Signo"

Artist Nancy Camden Witt (American, 1930-2009)

Date1974

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions60 × 60 in. (152.4 × 152.4 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of Russell and Angela Tye

Object number2022.7

On View

Not on view

DescriptionIn this painting, the flag of the Episcopal Church, with its bold, red cross of Saint George on a white field and smaller crosslets on a blue field arranged in the form of a Saint Andrew's cross, is draped over a figure whose outstretched arms suggest crucifixion. Only the shadows of the figure's hands are visible, and a slight flow in the shadow, in the area of the head, suggests a halo.

The use of veiling in this painting is consistent with that in Hagar and Sarai, suggesting that the powerful sentiments and meanings of religious stories and icons are hidden beneath cloth or other symbolic coveriings. Witt's interest in symbols and archetypes began with her exploration of the work of arl Jung in about 1970.