Glorified One

Date1945

Maker Leo Kenney born 1925, Spokane, Washington; died Seattle, Washington, 2001

Label TextKenney said that his source for this subject was a movement from Igor Stravinsky’s orchestral piece for ballet, Rite of Spring—the movement Stravinsky called “The Glorification of the Chosen One,” in which a young maid is chosen by fate as a sacrifice to the gods. Yet, Kenney was well-versed in Christian scripture and might just as well have been invoking the idea of resurrection in the post-apocalyptic second coming of Christ. A creature appears to live within stone, the one remaining sign of life in a landscape of complete destruction, perhaps a symbol of hope—or it may represent the final sacrifice to plead for peace and renewal.

Object number85.199

ProvenanceEdward B. Thomas, Seattle.

Photo CreditPhoto: Rob Vinnedge

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Bumbershoot 1986, Eccentric Satellites, August 29-September 1, 1986.

Credit LineGift of the Estate of Mr. Edward Thomas

Dimensions12 x 16 in. (30.5 x 40.6 cm)

MediumEgg tempera on composite board