Angel (Left Hand)
- Artist: Francesco Pesellino
- Date: 1455-60
- Medium: egg tempera on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
"This is the 'Angel (Left Hand)' painted in the Italian north. It's a beautiful example of a style that emerged during this period, with intricate details and dynamic movement. You can see how the angel's wings are beating, causing his drapery to fly around him, and he looks down at the Cross. The artist, Francesco Pesellino, was known for his work in this confraternity of priests in Pistoia, where it was originally made.
Notice how the painting is in surprisingly good condition considering its history. The angel's wings have darkened over time, but you can still see the intricate details of the underdrawing visible through the paint layer. This underdrawing is incredibly detailed, and if you look closely, you can even see the drawing of the angel's face and hair.
The style here shows a shift towards a more dynamic way of depicting figures, away from the gentle lines of Fra Angelico. It's an interesting example of how artists were experimenting with new ways to capture movement and space."
See it in person
Angel (Left Hand) hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
