The Wounded Angel

Two sullen boys carry an angel on a stretcher. The angel's wing has been wounded, and there is a bandage over the eyes. This painting by Hugo Simberg, voted Finland's best-loved work of art, speaks to the viewer in countless ways - there are as many interpretations as there are viewers. This is probably exactly the intention of the artist, as when he displayed the painting for the first time there was simply a long dash where there should have been a title. It took Simberg several years to finish this work. The first elements can be found in a sketchbook dating from 1898. Other sketches and photographs reflect the various phases of the composition. The angel always remains the central figure, and the scene of the painting a real place in Helsinki. The painting became an immediate success, and Simberg was awarded the State Prize for his work.