Artwork
Two Winged Angels in Profile
Two Winged Angels in Profile is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Harry Clarke. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
The work presents a pair of angels shown in profile, each with expansive white wings and a halo, set against a pale blue backdrop.
Created in 1924, Two Winged Angels in Profile is an oil painting by Irish artist Harry Clarke. The work presents a pair of angels shown in profile, each with expansive white wings and a halo, set against a pale blue backdrop. The composition balances delicate coloration, pink and white garments on the left figure, white and blue on the right, with subtle symbolic objects, a flower and a flame, held in their hands.
Subject & Meaning
The two figures embody a serene, otherworldly dialogue: the left angel, brown‑haired and clothed in a pink robe over a white shirt, offers a white flower, while the right, blonde and dressed in white over a blue shirt, bears a small flame. These contrasting gifts may suggest themes of purity, renewal, and spiritual illumination, resonating with the symbolic language common to Clarke’s oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Clarke applies a refined oil technique that emphasizes fine line work and textured surfaces, echoing the flowing, organic lines of Art Nouveau. The elongated silhouettes, intricate detailing of the wings and garments, and the subtle play of light and shadow reveal his command of chiaroscuro, creating depth while maintaining a decorative, almost lyrical quality.
History & Provenance
Born in Dublin in 1889, Clarke was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts movement, known for stained glass and illustration as well as painting. Two Winged Angels in Profile entered the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains part of the institution’s representation of early‑20th‑century Irish art.
Context
The painting reflects Clarke’s synthesis of Symbolist motifs with the decorative aesthetics of both Art Nouveau and the emerging Art Deco style. Its ethereal subject matter and stylized forms align with contemporary interests in spiritual and mythological themes, while the precise rendering demonstrates his background in detailed stained‑glass design.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Patrick Clarke (17 March 1889 – 6 January 1931) was an Irish stained-glass artist and book illustrator.
Christus resurrexit, luonnos Porin kirkon lasimaalausta varten
Gloria
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Angel
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Angel
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