Study of angels for the painting ‘The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ 1864

This preparatory study by Józef Simmler, dated 1864, depicts two angels, one kneeling in prayer and the other standing with an outstretched arm, likely a study for his final painting "The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary". The artist, known for his skill in representing religious themes, uses graphite to create this detailed, expressive study that exemplifies the preparatory process of creating a large-scale artwork. The use of graphite to capture the delicate features of the angels and the dynamic interplay of their poses suggests the artist’s interest in capturing the divine and the sublime through realistic representation.