Arcessita ab Angelis

Associated with the American Symbolist movement, Carl Gutherz was a Swiss immigrant who received his formal training in Paris, Munich and Rome (1869-72). From adolescence to age thirty he lived in Memphis, and his ties to the city remained strong throughout his early career as an art instructor in St. Louis. In 1884 he returned to Paris and during this twelve-year sojourn he produced his finest work, attending the Academy Julian and showing annually in the salons.

The theme of the cycle of life was explored in many Symbolist works towards the end of the 19th century. Here, Gutherz illustrates the traditional Christian notion of death as a passage from earth to heaven in "Arcessita Ab Angelis" (Summoned by Angels). Utilizing symbolic elements such as flowers, clouds and rainbows, the artist delineates the connection between the ideal and the real world and presents death as a beautiful divine transition.