The Magic Gate, Elizabeth Layton

Artwork Overview

1909–1993
The Magic Gate, 1987
Where object was made: United States
Material/technique: colored pencil; pencil
Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 1060 x 755 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 41 3/4 x 29 3/4 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 1060 x 755 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 41 3/4 x 29 3/4 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 49 1/4 x 36 in
Credit line: Anonymous gift
Accession number: 2018.0018
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Healing, Knowing, Seeing the Body
The Magic Gate, Layton’s depiction of death, is similarly framed by a rainbow, and despite the difficult topic, the drawing is full of beauty, optimism, and eager anticipation. Of this drawing, Layton explained: “She is almost through the magic gate to the cosmos. The gate opening up broke a thorny branch off the rosebush—the sting of dying. Behind her are ties to the earth—loved ones, wonderful worldly things, good and bad—her life. We can’t see yet what she sees but the look on her face is joyous.”
Healing, Knowing, Seeing the Body
The Magic Gate, Layton’s depiction of death, is similarly framed by a rainbow, and despite the difficult topic, the drawing is full of beauty, optimism, and eager anticipation. Of this drawing, Layton explained: “She is almost through the magic gate to the cosmos. The gate opening up broke a thorny branch off the rosebush—the sting of dying. Behind her are ties to the earth—loved ones, wonderful worldly things, good and bad—her life. We can’t see yet what she sees but the look on her face is joyous.”

Exhibitions

Mary Frances Ivey, curator
2024
Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator
2021