Angel with a Sword
Hans Memling·1479
Historical Context
This 1479 Angel with a Sword likely formed part of a Last Judgment or apocalyptic composition. Memling's monumental Last Judgment triptych for Angelo Tani (now in Gdańsk) was one of his most ambitious works, and smaller studies of angelic figures may relate to that or similar compositions Hans Memling brought serene, refined beauty to Flemish devotional painting, becoming the leading artist in Bruges after the death of van der Weyden Oil on canvas, increasingly preferred over panel in the sixte
Technical Analysis
The angel is rendered with flowing drapery and dynamic pose, demonstrating Memling's ability to convey celestial power and movement while maintaining the refined finish characteristic of his technique.
