Angels In Art
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Angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
s have appeared in works of art since early Christian art, and they have been a popular subject for
Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...
and
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an paintings and sculpture. Normally given wings in art, angels are usually intended, in both Christian and Islamic art, to be beautiful, though several depictions go for more awe-inspiring or frightening attributes, notably in the depiction of the living creatures (which have bestial characteristics),
ophanim The ophanim ( , ; singular: ), alternatively spelled auphanim or ofanim, and also called galgalim ( , ; singular: ), refer to the wheels seen in Ezekiel's vision of the chariot (Hebrew ) in . One of the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q405) construes them ...
(which are wheels) and
cherubim A cherub (; : cherubim; ''kərūḇ'', pl. ''kərūḇīm'') is one type of supernatural being in the Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles, such as protecting the entrance of the Garden o ...
(which have
mosaic A mosaic () is a pattern or image made of small regular or irregular pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by plaster/Mortar (masonry), mortar, and covering a surface. Mosaics are often used as floor and wall decoration, and ...
features); As a matter of theology, they are spiritual beings who do not eat or excrete and are genderless. Many historical depictions of angels may appear to the modern eye to be gendered as either male or female by their dress or actions, but until the 19th century, even the most female looking will normally lack breasts, and the figures should normally be considered as genderless. In 19th-century art, especially
funerary art Funerary art is any work of art forming, or placed in, a repository for the remains of the death, dead. The term encompasses a wide variety of forms, including cenotaphs ("empty tombs"), tomb-like monuments which do not contain human remains, a ...
, this traditional convention is sometimes abandoned. The lack of gender was to enable these winged creatures to be relatable to both genders.


Christian art


In the early Church

Specific ideas regarding how to portray angels began to develop in the early Church. Since angels are defined as pure spirits,Gorgievski, Sandra. ''Face to Face with Angels: Images in Medieval Art and in Film''
McFarland (2010)
Longhurst S.T.D., Christopher Evan. "The Science of Angelology in the Modern World: The Revival of Angels in Contemporary Culture", ''The Catholic Response''
Volume IX, No. 2, September/October 2012 (pp. 32–36)
the lack of a defined form has allowed artists wide latitude for creativity. Daniel 8:15 describes
Gabriel In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), Gabriel ( ) is an archangel with the power to announce God's will to mankind, as the messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Quran. Many Chris ...
as appearing in the "likeness of man" and in Daniel 9:21 he is referred to as "the man Gabriel." Such anthropomorphic descriptions of an angel are consistent with previous descriptions of angels, as in Genesis 19:5.Everson, David. "Gabriel Blow Your Horn! – A Short History of Gabriel within Jewish Literature", Xavier University, December 2009
They were usually depicted in the form of young men.Marshall, Peter and Walsham, Alexandra (editors). ''Angels in the Early Modern World''
p. 5, Cambridge University Press (2006),
The earliest known Christian image of an angel, in the ''Cubicolo dell'Annunziazione'' in the Catacomb of Priscilla, which is dated to the middle of the third century, is a depiction of the Annunciation in which Gabriel is portrayed without wings. Representations of angels on sarcophagi and on objects such as lamps and reliquaries of that period also show them without wings, as for example the angel in the '' Sacrifice of Isaac'' scene in the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. In a third-century fresco of the Hebrew children in the furnace, in the cemetery of St. Priscilla, a dove takes the place of the angel, while a fourth-century representation of the same subject, in the coemeterium maius, substitutes the Hand of God for the heavenly messenger. The earliest known representation of angels with wings is on what is called the Prince's Sarcophagus, discovered at Sarigüzel, near
Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...
, in the 1930s, and attributed to the time of
Theodosius I Theodosius I ( ; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395. He won two civil wars and was instrumental in establishing the Nicene Creed as the orthodox doctrine for Nicene C ...
(379–395). Flying winged angels, very often in pairs flanking a central figure or subject, are derivations in visual terms from pairs of winged Victories in classical art. In this same period, Saint John Chrysostom explained the significance of angels' wings: "They manifest a nature's sublimity. That is why Gabriel is represented with wings. Not that angels have wings, but that you may know that they leave the heights and the most elevated dwelling to approach human nature. Accordingly, the wings attributed to these powers have no other meaning than to indicate the sublimity of their nature." From then on Christian art generally represented angels with wings, as in the cycle of mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (432–440). Multi-winged angels, often with only their face and wings showing, drawn from the higher grades of angels, especially
cherubim A cherub (; : cherubim; ''kərūḇ'', pl. ''kərūḇīm'') is one type of supernatural being in the Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles, such as protecting the entrance of the Garden o ...
and
seraphim A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a Angelic being, celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and ...
, are derived from Persian art, and are usually shown only in heavenly contexts, as opposed to performing tasks on Earth. They often appear in the pendentives of
dome A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a m ...
s or semi-domes of churches.


Byzantine art

Angels appear in Byzantine art in mosaics and icons. Artists found some of their inspiration from winged Greek figures such as "Victory". They also drew from imperial iconography. Court eunuchs could rise to positions of authority in the Empire. They performed ceremonial functions and served as trusted messengers. Amelia R. Brown points out that legislation under Justinian indicates that many of them came from the Caucasus, having light eyes, hair, and skin, as well as the "comely features and fine bodies" desired by slave traders. Those "castrated in childhood developed a distinctive skeletal structure, lacked full masculine musculature, body hair and beards,...." As officials, they would wear a white tunic decorated with gold. Brown suggests that "Byzantine artists drew, consciously or not, on this iconography of the court eunuch". Daniel 10: 5–6 describes an angel as clothed in linen and girt with gold. Angels, especially the archangel Michael, who were depicted as military-style agents of God, came to be shown wearing Late Antique military uniform. This could be either the normal military dress, with a tunic to about the knees, armour breastplate and pteruges, but also often the specific dress of the bodyguard of the
Byzantine Emperor The foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD marks the conventional start of the Eastern Roman Empire, which Fall of Constantinople, fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised s ...
, with a long tunic and the '' loros'', a long gold and jewelled
pallium The pallium (derived from the Roman ''pallium'' or ''palla'', a woolen cloak; : pallia) is an ecclesiastical vestment in the Catholic Church, originally peculiar to the pope, but for many centuries bestowed by the Holy See upon metropolitan bish ...
restricted to the Imperial family and their closest guards, and in icons to archangels. The basic military dress it is still worn in pictures into the
Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
period and beyond in the West, and up to the present day in
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...
s. Other angels came to be conventionally depicted in long robes.


Medieval art

Medieval depictions of angels borrow from the Byzantine. In the French ''Hours of Anne of Brittany'', Gabriel wears a dalmatic. In the later Middle Ages they often wear the vestments of a
deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...
, a cope over a dalmatic, especially
Gabriel In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), Gabriel ( ) is an archangel with the power to announce God's will to mankind, as the messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Quran. Many Chris ...
in
Annunciation The Annunciation (; ; also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady, or the Annunciation of the Lord; ) is, according to the Gospel of Luke, the announcement made by the archangel Gabriel to Ma ...
scenes – for example '' The Annunciation'' by
Jan van Eyck Jan van Eyck ( ; ; – 9 July 1441) was a Flemish people, Flemish painter active in Bruges who was one of the early innovators of what became known as Early Netherlandish painting, and one of the most significant representatives of Early Nort ...
. This indicated that, for all their powers, they could not perform the
Eucharist The Eucharist ( ; from , ), also called Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament or the Lord's Supper, is a Christianity, Christian Rite (Christianity), rite, considered a sacrament in most churches and an Ordinance (Christianity), ordinance in ...
, and were in this respect outranked by every priest, reinforcing the prestige of the clergy. In Early Christian art white robes were almost invariably adopted, sometimes bound with the "golden girdle" of Revelation. During the mediæval period senior angels were often clad in every brilliant colour, while junior ranks wore white. Early Renaissance painters such as
Jan van Eyck Jan van Eyck ( ; ; – 9 July 1441) was a Flemish people, Flemish painter active in Bruges who was one of the early innovators of what became known as Early Netherlandish painting, and one of the most significant representatives of Early Nort ...
and Fra Angelico painted angels with multi-colored wings. Depictions of angels came to combine medieval notions of beauty with feminine ideals of grace and beauty, as in da Panicale's 1435 ''Baptism of Christ''.


Renaissance art

The classical '' erotes'' or '' putto'' re-appeared in art during the
Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance ( ) was a period in History of Italy, Italian history between the 14th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Western Europe and marked t ...
in both religious and mythological art, and is often known in English as a cherub, the singular of cherubim, actually one of the higher ranks in the Christian angelic hierarchy. They normally appear in groups and are generally given wings in religious art, and are sometimes represented as just a winged head. They generally are just in attendance, except that they may be amusing Christ or
John the Baptist John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist ...
as infants in scenes of the Holy Family. The classic example of Renaissance art showing Erotes is the depiction of Eros and
Cupid In classical mythology, Cupid ( , meaning "passionate desire") is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus and the god of war Mars. He is also known as Amor (Latin: ...
. In the Greek mythology, Eros and his Roman counterpart Cupid, are winged and have arrows they use to manipulate people to fall in love.


Victorian art

In the late 19th century artists' model Jane Burden Morris came to embody an ideal of beauty for
Pre-Raphaelite The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB), later known as the Pre-Raphaelites, was a group of English painters, poets, and art critics, founded in 1848 by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Michael Rossetti, ...
painters. With the use of her long dark hair and features made somewhat more androgynous, they created a prototype Victorian angel which would appear in paintings and stained glass windows. Roger Homan notes that
Edward Burne-Jones Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet, (; 28 August 183317 June 1898) was an English painter and designer associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter. Burne-Jones worked with William Morris as a founding part ...
and others used her image often and in different ways, creating a new type of angel.


Modern art

Angels continued to be depicted in the 20th century. One example is the large mosaic mural ''Angels of the Heavenly Host'' in St Paul's, Bow Common, created during 1963–68 by Charles Lutyens.


Islamic art

Angels in Islamic art often appear in illustrated manuscripts of Muhammad's life. Other common depictions of angels in Islamic art include angels with Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden In Abrahamic religions, the Garden of Eden (; ; ) or Garden of God ( and ), also called the Terrestrial Paradise, is the biblical paradise described in Genesis 2–3 and Ezekiel 28 and 31.. The location of Eden is described in the Book of Ge ...
, angels discerning the saved from the damned on the Day of Judgement, and angels as a repeating motif in borders or textiles. Islamic depictions of angels resemble winged Christian angels, although Islamic angels are typically shown with multicolored wings. Angels, such as the archangel Gabriel, are typically depicted as masculine, which is consistent with God's rejection of feminine depictions of angels in several verses of
Quran The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...
. Nevertheless, later depictions of angels in Islamic art are more feminine and androgynous.


Angels in manuscripts

The 13th-century book ''Ajā'ib al-makhlūqāt wa gharā'ib al-mawjūdāt'' '' (The Wonders of Creation)'' by
Zakariya al-Qazwini Zakariyya' al-Qazwini ( , ), also known as Qazvini (), (born in Qazvin, Iran, and died 1283), was a Cosmography, cosmographer and Geography in medieval Islam, geographer. He belonged to a family of jurists originally descended from Anas bin Mal ...
describes Islamic angelology, and is often illustrated with many images of angels. The angels are typically depicted with bright, vivid colors, giving them unusual liveliness and other-worldly translucence. While some angels are referred to as "Guardians of the Kingdom of God," others are associated with hell. An undated manuscript of ''The Wonders of Creation'' from the Bavarian State Library in Munich includes depictions of angels both alone and alongside humans and animals. Angels are also illustrated in Timurid and Ottoman manuscripts, such as ''The Timurid Book of the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension'' () and the '' Siyer-i Nebi''.


Angels in heaven and hell

The Qur’an makes multiple references to angels. These angels take on both active and passive roles in Quranic stories. In the story of the creation of Adam, God announces to the angels that he intends to create man. The angels act as witnesses to this announcement and subsequent creation of Adam. Although there are many versions of the story, Islamic sources relate that God used the creation of Adam as a punishment or test for the angels. Therefore, the role of angels is often described as in opposition to man. Another angel-like creature mentioned in the Qu’ran (4:97, 32:11) is the '' zabāniya.'' A ''zabāniya'' is a black angel of hell that brings souls of sinners down to hell to punish them and can be seen in illustrations of ''The Timurid Book of the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension'' (c. 1436 A.D.). There are nineteen ''zabāniya,'' led by '' Mālik'', an angel considered to be the master of fire or the gatekeeper of hell''.'' ''Mālik's'' and ''zabāniya's'' categorizations as angels are debated as some believe they are better described as spirits or demons. Actually, portrayal of ''Zabaniyya'' shares many traits characteristical for demons in Islamic arts. As seen in ''The Timurid Book of the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension,'' Muhammad is greeted by ''Mālik'' and later witnesses the torture of sinners carried out by the ''zabāniya.'' Similar, the
fallen angel Fallen angels are angels who were expelled from Heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" does not appear in any Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven. Such angels are often described ...
Iblis Iblis (), alternatively known as Eblīs, also known as Shaitan, is the leader of the Shayatin, devils () in Islam. According to the Quran, Iblis was thrown out of Jannah#Jinn, angels, and devils, heaven after refusing to prostrate himself bef ...
is shown during his moment of refusal to prostrate himself before the newly created Adam, leading to his banishment to the bottom of hell. He is depicted as a black-skinned monstrous creature with horns and flaming eyes, in contrast to the presentation of the noble angels. Only his wings remain as a sign of his former angelic status, however with burned edges.


Angels associated with Muhammad

Although depictions of Muhammad are often forbidden, the few that exist often include images of angels. Specifically, the Archangel Gabriel is frequently shown alongside Muhammad. For example, in ''The Timurid Book of the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension'', the Archangel Gabriel appears to Muhammad in Mecca to announce his ascension.Gruber, Christiane J. (2008). ''The Timurid "Book of Ascension" (Micrajnama): A Study of the Text and Image in a Pan-Asian Context''. Patrimonia. p. 254 Kneeling before Muhammad, Gabriel is shown with colorful wings and a crown. Later in ''The Timurid Book,'' Muhammad is shown with Gabriel meeting a group of angels in heaven. In the ''Jami' al-tawarikh'', a Persian history from the 14th century, Muhammad is depicted beside al-Buraq, whose tail is transformed into an angel, while two other angels approach. A 16th-century Ottoman manuscript of '' Siyer-i Nebi'', a Turkish epic about the life of Muhammad, also includes many depictions of Muhammad alongside angels.


Jewish art

Mainstream Rabbinic Judaism discourages focus from being placed on angels due to fears about idolatry and a desire to curtail any inclinations to polytheism. As such, many Jews do not make or display artworks of angels. However, such art does exist, and has been consistently made throughout Rabbinic history, for example as in the Dura Europos synagogue, where wingless humanoid angels dressed like Persians appear, as well as winged humanoids. Overall, if angel art is popular in a time and place, there will be Jewish art that depicts angels as well. Contemporary resistance and ignorance regarding angels in Judaism, and specifically in Jewish art, may partially stem from the current strong association between angels and Christianity. Sanoi, Sansoni, and Samanglif (also spelled Senoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof) are three angels that protect newborns. Depictions of them as small, non-human creatures occur on amulets and have had a small resurgence in popularity in recent years. They are associated with the Alphabet of Ben Sira, where they attempt to retrieve
Lilith Lilith (; ), also spelled Lilit, Lilitu, or Lilis, is a feminine figure in Mesopotamian and Jewish mythology, theorized to be the first wife of Adam and a primordial she-demon. Lilith is cited as having been "banished" from the Garden of Eden ...
after she flees from Adam. When they cannot, they make her promise not to harm newborns if they are protecting them. The use of their names in amulets for children predates the story, and that was likely intended to explain an existing custom. Cherubim in their classic Jewish description are typically creatures with features of a human, lion, bird, and cattle in some combination. The variety of imagery here was common in the Ancient Near East, and draws on that of the
lamassu ''Lama'', ''Lamma'', or ''Lamassu'' (Cuneiform: , ; Sumerian language, Sumerian: lammař; later in Akkadian language, Akkadian: ''lamassu''; sometimes called a ''lamassuse'') is an Mesopotamia, Assyrian protective deity. Initially depicted as ...
. The name cherub may come from that connection. It also draws on the imagery of the
sphinx A sphinx ( ; , ; or sphinges ) is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle. In Culture of Greece, Greek tradition, the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, th ...
. The descriptions of cherubim overall vary. Similarly, the imagery used for seraphim derives from the uraeus, which appeared in ancient carvings from Judah. It particularly occurred on seals, where it was invoked as a protective symbol. While winged humanoid angels are strongly associated with Christianity, some academics argue that rather than Judaism occasionally adopting this imagery from Christianity, Christianity adopted it from Judaism. In text, humanoid beings with wings and no other unusual features appear as early as the writing of Zechariah 5:5–11. The most common wings are feathered, but occasionally winged humanoid angels in Jewish art have been depicted with butterfly wings. Winged angels are sometimes also depicted with halos. Angels are sometimes depicted as birds without human features. Humanoid angels appear in Ethiopian Jewish art traditions, which are traditionally non-Rabbinic. Many well-known pop culture depictions of angels in the West come from the work of Jewish writers.


Precursors


Assyrian

The use of winged angels in art spans several millennia and cuts across multiple cultures, with each culture associating these ethereal figures with various aspects. For instance, in the ancient Assyrian culture, there was a protective deity labelled
lamassu ''Lama'', ''Lamma'', or ''Lamassu'' (Cuneiform: , ; Sumerian language, Sumerian: lammař; later in Akkadian language, Akkadian: ''lamassu''; sometimes called a ''lamassuse'') is an Mesopotamia, Assyrian protective deity. Initially depicted as ...
. A lamassu is a hybrid figure that contains part human on the head, part bovine lion on the body, and enormous wings with feathers, completing the bird aspect of the deity.


Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek mythology has been an integral part of art, serving as an inspiration to a large number of concepts in art. The culture had a winged figure, Ero, the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who became Cupid in the Roman Empire The Greek mythology associates Erotes with love and desire. While they are perceived as heavenly creatures, they contain power that can make a person fall in love based on their enchantments. The majority of ancient artwork portrayed Eros as being a slender yet well-built man wielding enormous sexual power. While Eros was not a popular figure in the classical period, the arrival of the Hellenistic period raised him back to prominence. The popularization of Erotes arises from the normalization of the Roman counterpart, Cupid, who has a bow and arrow that he uses to make people fall in love. The majority of people who observe Valentines Day have or utilize stories related to Cupid and Eros. The classical '' erotes'' or '' putto'' re-appeared in art during the
Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance ( ) was a period in History of Italy, Italian history between the 14th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Western Europe and marked t ...
in both religious and mythological art, and is often known in English as a cherub, the singular of cherubim, actually one of the higher ranks in the Christian angelic hierarchy. They normally appear in groups and are generally given wings in religious art, and are sometimes represented as just a winged head. They generally are just in attendance, except that they may be amusing Christ or
John the Baptist John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist ...
as infants in scenes of the Holy Family The Greek mythology associates Erotes with love and desire. While they are perceived as heavenly creatures, they contain power that can make a person fall in love based on their enchantments. According to Greek mythology, Eros was associated with Gaia, mother earth goddess. The majority of ancient artwork portrayed Eros as being a slender yet well-built man wielding enormous sexual power. While Eros was not a popular figure in the classical period, the arrival of the Hellenistic period raised him back to prominence. The popularization of Erotes arises from the normalization of the Roman counterpart, Cupid, who has a bow and arrow that he uses to make people fall in love. The majority of people who observe Valentines Day have or utilize stories related to Cupid and Eros. Eros or Cupid uses his arrow to manipulate people through the power of love, making his role as a god an intriguing one.


Gallery of angels in Christian art

Jan van eyck, annunciazione, dettaglio, 1434-36 circa.JPG, The Archangel Gabriel in a
deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...
's vestments, and multi-colored wings in Jan van Eyck's ''Annunciation'', 1434–1436 Master of the St Lucy Legend - Mary, Queen of Heaven- c. 1480 - c. 1510 (hi res).jpg, Master of the St Lucy Legend, ''Mary, Queen of Heaven'', c 1480–1510, accompanied by angels, some making music and others investments Detail-Isenheim-Altarpiece-Gruenewald.jpg, Isenheim Altarpiece by
Matthias Grünewald Matthias Grünewald ( – 31 August 1528; also known as Mathis Gothart Nithart) was a German Renaissance painter of religious works who ignored Renaissance classicism to continue the style of late medieval Central European art into the 16th cent ...
, c. 1512–1616, Concert of Angels (detail), with fallen angels in the background GuidoReni MichaelDefeatsSatan.jpg, Guido Reni's
Michael Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * he He ..., a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name * Michael (bishop elect)">Michael (surname)">he He ..., a given nam ...
(in Santa Maria della Concezione church, Rome, 1636) tramples Satan. A mosaic of the same painting decorates ''St. Michael's Altar'' in St. Peter's Basilica. Fouquet Madonna.jpg, ''Madonna Surrounded by Seraphim and
Cherubim A cherub (; : cherubim; ''kərūḇ'', pl. ''kərūḇīm'') is one type of supernatural being in the Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles, such as protecting the entrance of the Garden o ...
'' by Jean Fouquet 024.Jacob Wrestles with the Angel.jpg, ''Jacob Wrestling with the Angel'' by
Gustave Doré Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré ( , , ; 6January 1832 – 23January 1883) was a French printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor. He is best known for his prolific output of wood-engravings illustrati ...
from ''La Grande Bible de Tours'' (1866) Sandro Botticelli - Madonna del Magnificat - Google Art Project.jpg, '' Magnificat Madonna'', c. 1483, with wingless angels. Seraphim - Petites Heures de Jean de Berry.jpg, ''God surrounded by
Seraphim A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a Angelic being, celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and ...
'' ( Petites Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry) Cathedral St Michaels Victory.jpg, ''St Michaels Victory over the Devil'', a sculpture by Sir Jacob Epstein Da Vinci The Annunciation.jpg, ''The Annunciation'' by
Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (15 April 1452 - 2 May 1519) was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance who was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. While his fame initially rested o ...
, c. 1472–1475 Paradiso Canto 31.jpg, ''Rosa Celeste'': by Gustave Doré Aniol z dudami.jpg, Angel playing bagpipes, by
Jan Matejko Jan Alojzy Matejko (; also known as Jan Mateyko; 24 June 1838 – 1 November 1893) was a Polish painter, a leading 19th-century exponent of history painting, known for depicting nodal events from Polish history. His works include large scale ...
07Thessaloniki St-Dimetrios03.jpg, Church of Saint Demetrius Patron Saint of Thessaloniki Archangel Gabriel Icon wearing sacred blue.png,
Icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...
of
Archangel Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the Catholic hierarchy of angels, based on and put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book ''De Coelesti Hierarchia'' (''On the Celestial Hierarchy'') ...
Gabriel by Anonymous, c. 13th century The White Angel, Mileseva 25.jpg, Angel in White by Anonymous, c. 1230, Mileseva Monastery, Republic of Serbia Archangel Gabriel (Gelati).jpg, Archangel Gabriel. Part of the mosaic fresco from Gelati Monastery, Georgia c. 12th century Archangel Gabriel Icon in Blue and Red.png, Archangel Gabriel
Icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...
by Anonymous, c. 13th century,
Saint Catherine's Monastery Saint Catherine's Monastery ( , ), officially the Sacred Autonomous Royal Monastery of Saint Catherine of the Holy and God-Trodden Mount Sinai, is a Christian monastery located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Located at the foot of Mount Sinai ...
, Sinai, Egypt angel letiel.jpg, Ángel arcabucero, 17th-century Peru (?) File:Apocalipsis_divniy_03.jpg, Angel with body made of clouds, from an Old Believer manuscript of Schnorr_von_Carolsfeld_Bibel_in_Bildern_1860_239.png, Michael and the Dragon. Die Bibel in Bildern by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860 Glasgow. The Barras. Glasgow Antiques & Collectables Market. Sculpture of Angel.jpg,
Glasgow Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
. The Barras. Modern sculpture of angel. Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 068.png, ''Joshua and the Angel'' (from ), 1860 woodcut by von Karolsfeld Four Archangels, St John's Church, Warminster, Wiltshire.jpg, The four archangels in
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
tradition, 1888 mosaics by James Powell and Sons, St John's Church, Warminster. File:Seven Archangels (St Michael's, Brighton).jpg, Seven Archangels as given by Pseudo-Dionysius depicted in the stained glass window at St Michael's Church, Brighton. File:Mosaic in the Church of Saint Paul, Bow Common (01).jpg, An angel in the large ''Angels of the Heavenly Host'' mosaic mural by Charles Lutyens (1963–68) in St Paul's, Bow Common.


Gallery of angels in Islamic art

File:Arabic-manuscript.jpg, A page from ' The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence' – Egypt/Syria c.1375-1425 AD File:Miraj by Sultan Muhammad.jpg, Persian Miraj image from 1539 to 1543, reflecting Muhammad surrounded by angels. File:Persian angel 1555.jpg, Kneeling angel, Bukhara School (circa 1555–1560) File:MetatronInIslamicArts.jpg, The high angel
Metatron Metatron (Mishnaic Hebrew: ''Meṭāṭrōn''), or Matatron (), is an angel in Judaism, Gnosticism, and Islam. Metatron is mentioned three times in the Talmud, in a few brief passages in the Aggadah, the Targum, and in mystical kabbalah, Kabba ...
rendered by the 14th century artist Nasir al-Din Rammal. File:British Library, Oriental 11837, fol 9v All angels prostrate before Adam, except Iblis.jpg, Angels witnessing the creation of Adam, Persian miniature (c. 1560). File:Wonders of creation manuscript angel image.png, Image of an angel with animals from The Wonders of Creation, c. 1650–1700. (held in the Bavarian State Library) File:Carpet Fragment depicting Angels.jpg, Carpet fragment depicting angels, Safavid dynasty, early 16th century. File:Konya angel wall fragment.png, Fragment of sculpture from Konya city walls, c. 1220–1221. File:Siyer-i Nebi 298a.jpg, Muhammad advancing on Mecca, with the angels
Gabriel In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), Gabriel ( ) is an archangel with the power to announce God's will to mankind, as the messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Quran. Many Chris ...
,
Michael Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * he He ..., a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name * Michael (bishop elect)">Michael (surname)">he He ..., a given nam ...
, Israfil and Azrail. ( Siyer-i Nebi, 16th century) File:Muhammad at Badr.jpg, Muhammad at the Battle of Badr. ( Siyer-i Nebi, 16th century)


Gallery of angels in Jewish art

File:Ezekiel 2.jpeg, Angels with butterfly wings restoring life in a mural from the Dura Europos synagogue. File:XV09 - Roma, Museo civiltà romana - Rilievo giudaico - sec II dC - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 12-Apr-2008.jpg, 2nd or 3rd-century carving of the Menorah being attended by angels, including angels who may represent the seasons of the year. File:Mosaic Zodiac from Synagogue in Beit Alpha, Israel, 6th Century (31858682362).jpg, 6th century zodiac mosaic from the Beth Alpha Synagogue. At the corners are winged female angels, perhaps representing the seasons. File:Golden haggadah - scenes from genesis - BL Add.27210, f.2v.jpg, Angels in the Golden Haggadah, a 14th-century manuscript. File:Enluminure Sefarade, Haggadah a.jpg, Angels in the Golden Haggadah. File:North French Hebrew Miscellany folio 521b522a.l.jpg, Cherubim (left) in a 13th-century French Hebrew manuscript. File:Creation of Adam Sister Haggadah.jpg, Adam and the angels in the Sister Haggadah, from 1325 to 1374 File:Sarejevohagadah.gif, Abstract depiction of an angel (top right) in the Sarajevo Haggadah, 15th century. File:Schocken Bible frontispiece.jpg, Torah frontispiece made of miniatures, some of which include angels. File:Moses, Aaron the High Priest and King David - Passover Haggadah (1740), f.1 - BL Add MS 18724.jpg, Angels in a Haggadah from 1740. File:Ketuba from Italy.jpg, Angels on a
Ketubah A ketubah (; ) is a Jewish marriage contract. It is considered an integral part of a Jewish views on marriage, traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. In modern practice, ...
from 1746. File:Hebrew MS A1, cherubs, Venetian Ketubbah Wellcome L0030965.jpg, Angels on a Ketubah from 1754. File:Unknown Artist, Maker - Marriage Contract - Google Art Project (2743531).jpg, Angels on a Ketubah from 1781. File:Unknown Artist, Maker - Marriage Contract - Google Art Project (2742705).jpg, Possible angel with butterfly wings on a Ketubah from 1836. File:Písečné Jüdischer Friedhof - Grabstein 5 Engel.jpg, Angels on a Jewish tombstone. File:Cimitero Ebreo di Livorno 9.JPG, Italian Jewish tombstone possibly depicting a seraph. File:Lilien Ephraim Moses, 1923, Szabat.jpg, Early 20th century art from Ephraim Moses Lilien of God being attended by angels. File:Lilien Ephraim Moses, 1923, Jakub i anioł.jpg, Jacob wrestling the angel.


See also

* Archangel Michael in Christian art *
Michael (archangel) Michael, also called Saint Michael the Archangel, Archangel Michael and Saint Michael the Taxiarch is an archangel and the warrior of God in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in third- and second- ...
*
Gabriel In the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), Gabriel ( ) is an archangel with the power to announce God's will to mankind, as the messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Quran. Many Chris ...
* Angels in Islam * Angelus * Fleur de lys * List of films about angels * List of names referring to El *
Seraph A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and in the fif ...


Notes


References

* {{Authority control Christian art Islamic art Jewish art