Walter Hinchman and the Angels
Walter Hinchman (1845-1920) was an artist and a Quaker. His bio states that he was a member of the American Federation of Arts and worked in machine shops as a draftsman and surveyor; he was also the author of the book Sketches and Poems. But more to the point, he was a fine artist, and Haverford owns an album of his drawings and sketches. Not to minimize his talents, he also had a sense of humor. Depicted here from this same album are “William M. Spackman and Walter Hinchman posing as Raphael Cherubs.” Raphael’s well-known painting entitled “Sistine Madonna” with the two cherubs at the bottom, which was created in 1512-1513, seems to be their reference. Serious scholars have written important works on the meaning of the painting, including the two cherubs or putti, who are seen either as part of the overall significance of the painting or just as marginal or decorative. Hinchman’s entire album is available for inspection.
