Stevenson Memorial

(click to enlarge)

Abbot Handerson Thayer

(English, 1849-1922)

Stevenson Memorial, 1903

Oil on canvas

 Abbott Thayer was moved by the writing of Robert Louis Stevenson, whose dramatic characterizations of human conflict resonated with the artist. . . . The rock that she sits upon bears the word VAEA, and in the darkness behind her is a small palm tree. VAEA refers to a mountain in the Samoan Islands, atop which Stevenson was buried after his death in 1894. Although he later painted over them, originally Thayer inscribed Stevenson's name and coat of arms across the top of the canvas. After its completion the painting was exhibited in museums across the country, to popular and critical acclaim.

From the Wikipedia article on this painting.