The Magic Gate

Elizabeth Layton, artist

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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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.”