Stanislav Libenský
Imprint of an Angel I

Imprint of an Angel I

© Stanislav Libensky Estate

Imprint of an Angel I
Imprint of an Angel I
CultureCzech
Titles
  • Imprint of an Angel I
Date1998–1999
MediumCast glass
DimensionsOverall: 92 × 43 1/2 × 17in. (233.7 × 110.5 × 43.2cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the estate of Roger Ager, Liberty, Texas; Heller Gallery, New York, NY; Dr. Frances M. Davis Ryan and Neil F. Ryan; Neal and Judi Grossman of Illuminata Gallery; Steve Laedtke; Richard H. Moiel and Katherine S. Poeppel; Barbara and Mark Paull; the Susan Vaughan Foundation; and various other donors
Object number2002.45
Current Location
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
Gallery 310
On view

Explore Further

Object Type
DescriptionCzech artists Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová began exploring the depths and possibilities of glass in the 1950s. Their work is recognized worldwide for elemental strength, purity, and emotional content as well as for demonstrating the tremendous optical and physical properties of glass. For Imprint of an Angel I, the effects of light highlight the “angel,” whose outline or presence is imbued in the glass. The monumental sculpture stands almost 8 feet high and is comprised of three separate tapered forms that stack upon one another. Each section is cast, weighs approximately 300 pounds, and needed to be an exact series of angles and measurements in order for the sculpture to be stable and uniform. Space is defined by the edges of each plane, creating a narrow void within the minimal form. When lit, varying thicknesses of glass throughout the sculpture, along with the central void, provide a changing landscape of transparency, translucency, and opacity.

Provenance[Heller Gallery, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2002.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Etched signatures on the lower right corner: "S. LIBENSKÝ / J BRYCHTOVÁ / 199? 1997"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Cube in Sphere
Stanislav Libenský
1992
Glass
2012.602.A-.D
Leuces I
Brétislav Novák
1994
Cast glass
2002.447
I See You're a Bit Nervous
Silvia Levenson
2005
Kiln-cast glass and mixed media
2008.807.A-.E
Bodyguard
Gizela Sâbóková
c. 1993
Cast glass
2002.450
Nomos Table, Model T0816
Sir Norman Foster
Designed 1986, manufactured 2000
Die cast aluminum, steel, and glass
2001.75.A,.B
I Wish I Could Give Aretha All the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. She Will Ever Need
Dario Robleto
1998–1999
.A: Cast of found and thrift store trophy parts made with melted Aretha Franklin 45 rpm records (You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Prove It, Chain of Fools), resin, spray paint, engraved silver label .B: Cast of found and thrift store trophy parts made with melted Kraftwerk records (Computer World, The Man Machine, Trans-Europe Express), resin, spray paint, engraved chrome label .C: Cast of found and thrift store trophy parts made with melted Maria Callas records (live recordings of Norma, Madame Butterfly and Tosca), resin, spray paint, engraved brass label
2008.840.A-.D
Stop the War, I Want to Get Married
James Frederick Woell
1975
Cast brass
2020.193.A,.B
Cooking Pot
Timo Sarpaneva
Designed 1960
Cast iron, enamel, and teak
98.526.A-.C
Tower Box 2
Tessa Clegg
1999
Glass
2003.271.A,.B
Untitled
Brian Hirst
2002
Glass and silver foil
2003.270
Recto
Sydney Cash
1985
Glass, wood, and paper
91.2015
LEAF
Ivan Mareš
2010
Glass
2011.1024