Figure of an Angel

The sculptural depiction presents a frontal figure of an angel in a prayer pose. The naked childlike body with anatomically soft, rounded forms rests upon a stylised cloud. A serene facial expression, expressive wide-open eyes, and hands folded in prayer create an impression of calm, concentration, and inner devotion.
The rounded, childlike face with wide-open eyes, a softly defined upturned nose, and a faint smile on its lips embodies the image of a carefree child. In the iconographic tradition of Baroque and Late Baroque art, this type traditionally personifies the purity and celestial nature of the angelic order. The upward orientation of the figure indicates the vertical construction of the composition. The main accent of the work lies in the expansive wings, modelled with relief waves that imitate the texture of feathers. Their warm golden tone contrasts with the white tone of the body and lends a certain ethereal quality to the image.
In the sculptural solution, the author has combined a realistic treatment of the human body with decorative elements. The smooth texture of the body is juxtaposed with the voluminous modelling of the wings, drapery, and cloud. The piece is the work of a folk master, distinguished by a somewhat naive execution, yet it is deeply sincere and spontaneous in its rendition of the sacred character, where a certain technical imperfection is compensated for by the emotional expressiveness of the image.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery