I Wonder… Hugo Simberg

I Wonder… Creative Art Prompts for Imaginative Writing

Rather than formally analysing ‘The Wounded Angel’ by Hugo Simberg, this handout asks for a creative response. Each prompt starts ‘I wonder…’ which enforces the idea that there is no one correct answer. Example statements would be ‘I wonder… what sounds I would hear if I stepped into this artwork and what I would smell’ and ‘I wonder… how the people in this artwork feel’.

This download includes:

• A one-page handout with the artwork and writing prompts. Students work on paper or in a sketchbook so these handouts can be used again and again.
• A one-page ‘teacher notes’ includes a short paragraph giving one interpretation of the artwork.

Hugo Simberg (1873–1917) was a Finnish symbolist painter known for his dreamlike and often mysterious imagery, blending folklore, fantasy, and deep symbolism. His artworks, such as The Wounded Angel, are rich in narrative ambiguity, making them ideal for imaginative writing as they invite viewers to interpret their meaning and create their own stories.

There are many more art analysis and art literacy downloads on The Arty Teacher website.