Artwork
A Winged Angel in Profile
A Winged Angel in Profile is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Harry Clarke. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
A Winged Angel in Profile is an oil painting created circa 1920 by Irish artist Harry Clarke, now held in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a profile view of an angel with expansive, elongated wings, adorned in a white robe and surrounded by a yellow halo against a serene light blue background. The subject embodies a blend of spiritual and aesthetic elements characteristic of Clarke’s work.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Clarke’s adaptation of Art Nouveau principles, combined with Symbolist influences evident in his distinctive approach to form and detail, particularly in the treatment of the angel’s wings and halo.
History & Provenance
Created around 1920 by Harry Clarke (1889-1939), a leading figure in Ireland’s Arts and Crafts movement, with ties to both Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The painting is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Ireland.
Context
This piece reflects Clarke’s broader artistic practice, which spanned stained glass (often with Symbolist themes) and book illustration, demonstrating a consistent stylistic thread across mediums.
Legacy
A Winged Angel in Profile contributes to the understanding of Clarke’s contribution to early 20th-century Irish art, highlighting the intersection of international styles (Art Nouveau, Art Deco) with local artistic movements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Patrick Clarke (17 March 1889 – 6 January 1931) was an Irish stained-glass artist and book illustrator.
