The Wounded Angel
Encyclopedia
The Wounded Angel (1903) is a painting by Finnish
symbolist painter Hugo Simberg
. 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.
Like other Simberg paintings, The Wounded Angel evokes a melancholy atmosphere: the angelic
central figure with her bandaged eyes and bloodied wing, the sombre clothing of her two youthful bearers. The direct gaze of the right-hand figure touches the viewer.
The allegorical procession with the angel walks through quite a realistic landscape. The landscape in the painting is from Eläintarha
, Helsinki, and the water body in the background is Töölönlahti bay in Helsinki. The same road skirts the shores of Töölönlahti even today. In Hugo Simberg’s day, the park was a popular spot for leisure-time activities among the working classes. 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. She clutches a bunch of snowdrops, symbolic of healing and rebirth.
Simberg himself declined to offer any deconstruction, instead preferring the viewer to draw their own conclusions. However, it is known that Simberg had been suffering from meningitis
, and that the painting was a source of strength during his recovery. This can also be read metaphorically: meningitis is known to cause neck stiffness, lethargy and light sensitivity, each of which is exhibited by the central figure. If read as lungs rather than wings, such a diagnosis even explains the minor injury, as tuberculor meningitis causes abrasions to the upper lungs.
When Simberg was tasked to paint the fresco
es at Tampere Cathedral
in 1905-06, one was a larger version of The Wounded Angel, his favorite painting.
Its ubiquity in Finnish culture has resulted in several derivative works, notably the music videos released in 2007 by Uniklubi
-"Luotisade." and Nightwish
- "Amaranth
."
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
symbolist painter Hugo Simberg
Hugo Simberg
Hugo Gerhard Simberg was a Finnish symbolist painter and graphic artist.-Life:Simberg was born at Hamina in Finland, the son of Colonel Nicolai Simberg and Ebba Matilda Simberg ....
. 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
Ateneum
The Ateneum is a major museum in Finland. It is located in the centre of Helsinki at the Rautatientori square opposite Helsinki Central Railway Station. It has the biggest collections of classical art in Finland. Previously the Ateneum building also housed the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts and...
art museum in 2006.
Like other Simberg paintings, The Wounded Angel evokes a melancholy atmosphere: the angelic
Angelic
The term Angelic may refer to:* Angel, a supernatural being* Angelic, a UK dance band featuring Darren Tate, Judge Jules and Jules's wife, Amanda O'Riordan.* Angelic acid, an organic compound* Angelic de Grimoard, brother of Pope Urban V...
central figure with her bandaged eyes and bloodied wing, the sombre clothing of her two youthful bearers. The direct gaze of the right-hand figure touches the viewer.
The allegorical procession with the angel walks through quite a realistic landscape. The landscape in the painting is from Eläintarha
Eläintarha
Eläintarha is a large park in central Helsinki, Finland. The name "eläintarha" means "zoo".The park's location acts as a divisor between the districts of Töölö to the west, and Hakaniemi and Kallio to the east. The southern half of the park includes two bays of the Baltic Sea: Töölönlahti to the...
, Helsinki, and the water body in the background is Töölönlahti bay in Helsinki. The same road skirts the shores of Töölönlahti even today. In Hugo Simberg’s day, the park was a popular spot for leisure-time activities among the working classes. 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. She clutches a bunch of snowdrops, symbolic of healing and rebirth.
Simberg himself declined to offer any deconstruction, instead preferring the viewer to draw their own conclusions. However, it is known that Simberg had been suffering from meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
, and that the painting was a source of strength during his recovery. This can also be read metaphorically: meningitis is known to cause neck stiffness, lethargy and light sensitivity, each of which is exhibited by the central figure. If read as lungs rather than wings, such a diagnosis even explains the minor injury, as tuberculor meningitis causes abrasions to the upper lungs.
When Simberg was tasked to paint the fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es at Tampere Cathedral
Tampere Cathedral
The Tampere Cathedral is a church in Tampere, Finland, and the seat of the Diocese of Tampere. The building was designed in the National Romantic style by Lars Sonck, and built between 1902 and 1907.The cathedral is famous for its frescoes, painted by the symbolist Hugo Simberg between 1905 and 1906...
in 1905-06, one was a larger version of The Wounded Angel, his favorite painting.
Its ubiquity in Finnish culture has resulted in several derivative works, notably the music videos released in 2007 by Uniklubi
Uniklubi
Uniklubi is a Finnish alternative rock band. It was founded in 1999. The band became well known for its hit Rakkautta ja piikkilankaa in 2004. The band's lyrics are in the Finnish language. All members are from the town of Hämeenkyrö, except the bassist Teemu Rajamäki, who is from Ikaalinen...
-"Luotisade." and Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
- "Amaranth
Amaranth (song)
-Charts performance:"Amaranth" is Nightwish's most successful single reaching number 1 in Spain, Hungary, Norway and Finland. It went straight to number one in Finland and stayed at number 1 for 3 weeks, dropping to number 2 in its fourth week on the chart. "Amaranth" then returned to the top spot...
."