• Angel 2008
  • Mixed media, swarovski crystals and vitriol oil on canvas mounted on board
  • Collage & Assemblage
  • 180 * 180 * 7 cm
  •  signed in English and Farsi and dated 2008 on reverse
     swarovski crystals and vitriol oil on canvas mounted on board  
Sell at - Auction House
24 November 2008
Estimation
Realized Price
12%
Artwork Description

 In this striking work Farhad Moshiri harks back to his earlier series entitled 'Angel' which he produced in the mid-1990s. This depiction heralds a new chapter in the career of Moshiri, as his reworking of previous inspirations in this new and contemporary medium shows the psychological and artistic development of the artist.

Moshiri seems to be drawn by their aesthetic beauty and universal symbolic meaning. As with many other of Moshiri's works he combines elements of Eastern and Western cultures to create a depiction laden with visual imagery and nuance. In this work, rather than contrasting the two cultures, Moshiri depicts an image common to both societies: the angel as a protective force acting as a messenger from God.

The crown of the depicted figure bears a likeness to those found on the coinage and figures featured on silver-gilt wares of the Sassanid Empire. This examplifies Moshiri's deep affection for the history of his native Iran, depicted in an entirely contemporary medium. 

The bold lines of this piece engage the viewer instantly, and the ruby red highlights stand in stark contrast to the brilliant white of the crystal background to produce a visually arresting and contemplative work.

Moshiri himself commented that it was the depiction of the figure itself in purely visual terms that was the main inspiration for this piece, without there necessarily being wider symbolism to the work. 
Artist Performance at Auctions

Realized Price 161,825 USD
Min Estimate 93,751 USD
Max Estimate 131,996 USD
Average Artwork Worth
+48.182%
 
Average Growth of Artwork Worth
Sales Performance Against Estimates
Average & Median Sold Lot Value
2020 - 2024
Performance vs. Estimate
2020 - 2024
Sell-through Rate
2020 - 2024