An Angel, 1889

Darstellung: 27 x 15.1 cm
Gesamtmaß: 28.1 x 15.1 cm

Physical Description: Silver bromide gelatin print and coloured pencil on cardboard

Inventory Number: St.F.108

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with support from the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Hessischer Kulturstiftung, property of the Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Status: Not on display

Texts

About the Work

The serious-looking angel and the seductive sphinx are an odd couple. But there is no discord in this hierarchical relationship: with a delightful smile, the hybrid creature acknowledges the touch of the guardian angel, who is beginning to merge into the background. Khnopff’s photograph depicts a harmonious coexistence of ideal and nature, represented by the figures. By hand-colouring a photograph of his work, he turned a reproduction into an artwork in its own right.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: An Angel

Draughtsman

Fernand Khnopff

Photographer

Alexandre

Period Produced

19th century

School

art photography (modern)

Object Type

photograph

Physical Description: Silver bromide gelatin print and coloured pencil on cardboard

Material

Technique

Captions Added Later: Signiert auf einem unten links angeklebten Streifen: Handschriftlich: Fernand Khnopff

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Photographic Collection

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V.

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with support from the Kulturstiftung der Länder and the Hessischer Kulturstiftung, property of the Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.