Winged Figure: Icarus by John Armstrong, tempera on canvas

This is one of many abstract works on the Greek mythological theme of Icarus which British Surrealist John Armstrong made between 1939 and 1968, spanning the Second World War to the Cold War.

Icarus, with his hand-made wings of feathers and wax, flew ambitiously high but too close to the sun. The story of Icarus represents both human progress and hubris. Armstrong used him to personify technological and political developments in the modern world. Shown as a cracked orb ‘world’ with feathered wings, Armstrong's early Icarus paintings (see Tate Collection) symbolised the tragedy of aerial warfare. This post-war version, with skeletal wings, suggested the threat of nuclear annihilation amid the escalating Cold War arms race. Purchased in 1976. Copyright: the artist's estate and Bridgeman Images / RAF Museum.