plate no. 3383

The Wounded Angel

Hugo Simberg, 1903

oil, canvasSymbolismsymbolic paintingfiguresangellandscapelakeskychildren

From the record

Dimensions: 127 cm high × 154 cm wide
Institution: Finnish National Gallery
Location: Ateneum
Inception: 1903
Materials: oil paint, canvas
Movement: Symbolism

angel
child
stretcher
river
Galanthus nivalis
tree
Töölö bay
Eläintarha

Wikipedia article Wikidata item Q471289

from the sources

The Wounded Angel was voted Finland's national painting in a vote held by the Ateneum art museum in 2006. en.wikipedia.org
“It is one of the most recognizable of Simberg's works, and was voted Finland's "national painting" in a vote held by the Ateneum art museum in 2006.”
The painting shows two boys carrying an injured angel with a bandaged forehead and a bloodied wing. en.wikipedia.org
“The Wounded Angel depicts two boys carrying an injured angel, whose forehead is bandaged and whose wing is bloodied.”
The scene is set in a recognisable landscape, Eläintarha in Helsinki, with Töölönlahti Bay in the background. en.wikipedia.org
“The procession passes through a recognisable landscape, that of Eläintarha, Helsinki, with Töölönlahti Bay in the background.”
The boys are shown carrying the angel toward the Blind Girls' School and the Home for Cripples, institutions located in Eläintarha park. en.wikipedia.org
“At the time, many charity institutions were located in Eläintarha park; in The Wounded Angel, the healthy boys are carrying the injured girl towards the Blind Girls' School and the Home for Cripples.”
The angel holds snowdrops, which are described as symbols of healing and rebirth. en.wikipedia.org
“She clutches a bunch of snowdrops, symbolic of healing and rebirth.”
Simberg declined to give his own interpretation of the painting and suggested viewers draw their own conclusions. en.wikipedia.org
“Simberg himself declined to offer any interpretation, suggesting that the viewer draw their own conclusions.”
The painting was first displayed in 1903 at the Ateneum autumn exhibition, where a number of Finnish artists praised it. en.wikipedia.org
“A number of Finnish artists praised The Wounded Angel when it first displayed in 1903 at the Ateneum autumn exhibition.”
Simberg painted a larger version of The Wounded Angel as a fresco for Tampere Cathedral in 1905–06. en.wikipedia.org
“When Simberg was asked to paint frescoes for the Tampere Cathedral in 1905–06, one was a larger version of The Wounded Angel, his favorite painting.”

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic shapes of the landscape elements.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, water, and ground using thin washes.
step 04
Begin layering in the darker values of the figures' clothing and the shadows on the ground.
step 05
Develop the form of the angel figure, paying attention to the drapery and the wings.
step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, focusing on capturing the expressions.
step 07
Refine the landscape details, adding texture and depth with dry brushing.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing black and umber with white. Use small amounts of blue and yellow to create subtle variations in the sky and landscape. Mix white with a touch of burnt sienna for the angel's skin.

techniques