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Figure of an Angel

Franciszek Oledzki

Basic information

ID: С-I-1114
Author: Franciszek Oledzki
Name: Figure of an Angel
Date of creation: 1780s
Technique: carving
Material: wood
Dimensions: 165 x 210 x 85 cm (height x width x depth)

Additionally

Type: sculpture
Genre: religious

Information about author

Author: Franciszek Oledzki
Author in the original: Franciszek Olędzki
Artist's lifetime: c. 1745–1792
Country: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, now Ukraine
Biography: Franciszek Oledzki was a Lviv sculptor of the second half of the eighteenth century. There are not enough documented works about the artist. His creative activity dates between 1760 and 1792. The author worked with various materials: limestone, marble, stucco, wood (linden was the primary material) and mostly carved round sculptures. Since the 1770s, Oledzki worked in Lviv: he performed stained glass works in the Latin Cathedral (from June 14, 1773 to November 4, 1779, he worked on four altars, a throne for the bishop, and various ornaments); in the Dormition Church, the artist made an iconostasis; in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, he carved an altar with figures of saints. In addition to Lviv, Franciszek Oledzki worked in Berestechko, Buchach, and Lopatyn. In 1774, he signed an agreement with the superior of the Dominican monastery in Pidkamin to perform sculptural works. A characteristic feature of the sculptor's work is the figures' expressive poses and dynamic gestures – his angels seem to be flying in the sky. The professionalism of the master is felt in the filigree facial features, movements of the depicted figures, and peculiar curls of their hair.

Object description

Between 1711 and 1733, the church of the Holy Trinity was built on the site of a wooden Trinitarian monastery at the expense of Tomasz Karczewski in the town of Berestechko. The building had eight altars. During the 1780s, Franciszek Oledzki was commissioned to make a group of sculptures for the decoration of the church. The angel is one of the figures of the central altar that has survived up to this day. The sculpture of impressive proportions looked very effective at a certain height. The angel is represented in a prayer pose, on his knees. The sculpture's head is turned to the left and slightly tilted. The sculptor delicately worked out the features of the angel’s face, namely a high open forehead, straight nose, large almond-shaped eyes, and lips with a sharp contour and a barely noticeable smile. The curly hair of the angel is made in the manner typical of Franciszek Oledzki. The dynamic horizontal and vertical folds of clothes wrap the muscular body of the angel. Emotional expression and movement are felt in every bend of his body.

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

Figure of an Angel

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