Angels have appeared in Western art through history starting with human like messengers in early Christian catacombs. But my favourite is Leonardo da Vinci’s, Annunciation, circa 1472.
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
Michelangelo
I love this quote by Michelangelo and his sculptures are amazing and have stood the test of time. He saw himself as more of a sculptor than a painter but it is his mural at the Sistine Chapel that he is most remembered for.
“In heaven an angel is nobody in particular.”
George Bernard Shaw
I think this quote by Bernard Shaw but myself don’t believe in heaven as a literal place but an ideal to aspire to in this world.
“Angels in art history evolved from wingless, human-like messengers in early Christian catacombs (3rd century) to winged, divine beings influenced by Roman, Greek, and Pagan traditions, with winged figures appearing from the 4th century onwards. They symbolize purity and protection, commonly featuring in Renaissance, Medieval, and Baroque art, often depicted in white robes, with multicoloured wings, or as child-like cherubs.”
“Key Themes and Evolution include: Early Origins: The earliest angel, Gabriel, appeared without wings in mid-3rd century art, while winged angels emerged by 379–395 AD. Early Christian art often used simple, white-robed figures in the Catacomb of Priscilla.”
I prefer depictions of angels through history when they had wings as they appear more heavenly and angelic.
As mentioned earlier this Da Vinci painting is my favourite of angels through history. I love the detail of the angel wings and golden light emanating from the crown of her head
“Medieval Period: Angels adopted Byzantine styles, frequently wearing priestly vestments (dalmatics) and possessing brightly coloured wings, as seen in works by Jan Van Eyck.”
This depiction of an angel is amazing and I love the green and orange wings and detail of her holding flowers with a long stem.
I like the gold in the background perhaps it is gold leaf and the red and blue robes. I am fascinated by the different hand gestures in angel paintings through Western history.
“Renaissance and Baroque: Artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Raphael, influenced by classical mythology (Cupids/Nike), rendered angels with greater beauty, grace, and human-like emotion. They frequently depicted scenes like the Annunciation or the Virgin and Child.”
I like the Annunciation or the Virgin and Child by Botticelli and the angel seems to be floating and this makes her look very celestial. The wings look like realistic renditions of real bird’s wings.
“Symbolism: Wings, often added to represent the ability to travel between spiritual and physical realms, were inspired by classical victory goddesses. They are associated with divine light, music, and holy scenes. “
I love this quote about the symbolism of the angel wings in paintings as associated with travel between spiritual and physical realms. However, I personally don’t believe in any afterlife so I think I need to make the most of the life I have left.
Notable Artistic Depictions:
“Angels in art have often merged religious, mythological, and humanistic elements to represent the bridge between the human and the divine. “
I like this quote about angels merging elements of the religious, mythological and humanistic elements and I think for me seem to represent an idealism to reach for in life of being the kindest one can be.
In conclusion I find the depictions of angels through history as amazing but I don’t believe that there are literal angels in heaven who come and visit earth but I do believe that when people are kind and altruistic then they are angels that circle around all those suffering and take the weight of their woes away.
