The Renaissance lasted for more than three centuries and significantly influenced European art. In the typical Renaissance style, several artists produced paintings and sculptures that were seen as a revival of past knowledge and understanding. Consequently, Renaissance masterpieces have proven to be immensely influential, and as a result, art historians have studied a number of the renaissance artworks.
From the Garden of Eden through the sounding of the trumpets in Revelation, angels have appeared in the Bible on the most significant occasions. During the Renaissance, angels were also used in paintings and other works of art. The Renaissance painters were messengers who indicated that times had changed, like angels.
Many artists have shown their ideas of what these angelic beings look like, while others have tried to stay close to the brief descriptions of angels’ appearance in the Bible and other old books. Some of the most famous paintings of angels may be found in Renaissance art, illustrating the movement’s long-lasting influence. Let’s grab the angels’ wings of the Renaissance and see what the artists and renaissance angel paintings were trying to say.
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Conversion of Saul by Michelangelo
One of the most well-known stories in the New Testament is about how the Apostle Paul met Christ. Michelangelo tried to recreate the moment when Christ showed himself to Saul, afterward known as Paul, and his companions on the road to Damascus. This work was painted in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican between 1542 and 1545.
Because the angels in the painting are depicted as transfixed on the brilliant light emanating from Christ’s presence, it would imply that the men who accompanied Saul did not notice them while they were there. Because it represents the event and the numerous individuals that Michelangelo decided to include in the massive mural, this work is regarded as one of the old but famous angel paintings of the renaissance art period.
Since Michelangelo incorporated multiple images of the angels around Christ when he is seen floating above Paul, the picture includes many additional figures that are not included in the Biblical account of the narrative. The Pauline Chapel (Capella Paolina), located in the Vatican Palace in Vatican City, is home to this old angelic painting.
The Sistine Madonna by Raphael
According to most art historians, Raphael is among the most renowned painters in human history and was likely second only to Leonardo da Vinci in terms of fame. The Sistine Madonna is one of the most famous artworks of Raphael revolving around angels and divine beings since it depicts a Madonna or portrayal of the Virgin Mary as well as other Biblical figures.
The painting was completed in 1512 and commissioned by Pope Julius II. It depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus in her arms while she floats above the earth on a cloud, and saints Sixtus and Barbara are positioned on each side of her. Still, the two innocent-appearing cherubs positioned below her are probably the most well-known characters in the painting.
These angelic creatures are shown as very innocent, with wondering faces as they stare at Mary and infant Jesus. This historical painting by Raphael is housed at Old Masters Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister) in Germany.
Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy by Caravaggio
Caravaggio was a true master when it came to religious paintings. The Italian-born artist’s paintings frequently feature a great degree of contrast between light and darkness. For example, his 1595 picture, St. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, depicts Saint Francis of Assisi being carried in the arms of an angel while he suffered Stigmata, which means he acquired scars on his hands and feet that represented Christ’s crucifixion.
It is believed that Caravaggio painted this artwork while staying at Palazzo Madama and working as “Del Monte’s painter,” as he frequently referred to himself. The painting is a remarkable masterpiece since it displays incredibly realistic renderings of Saint Francis’s human body and Caravaggio’s signature dramatic contrast between light and darkness.
The angel depicted in the painting is considered six-winged seraphim, according to descriptions of angels in the Old Testament. The painting is currently located at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut.
The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo Da Vinci
In London and Paris, there are two versions of the same picture, the Virgin of the Rocks (ca. 1483–1486 & c. 1508). These two versions vary in several ways, including how they were painted. Moreover, in that other painting at the Louvre, the angel’s hand gestures to St. John the Baptist.
In the London version, the top layers of color paint on their faces had worn away, revealing many black-and-white paintings. That’s why the angel lacks the brilliance of colors painted in grays and browns. Only his blue-yellow cloak shows some color, but Still, the angel looks beautiful and heavenly.
Angel’s young face looks like it belongs to both men and women because it has large, calm eyes, full lips, and a narrow chin. The clothes are also more detailed than the ones in the Louvre version. The grey-brown wings are all one color because they are joined to the body, but they still feel authentic.
The Annunciation by Petrus Christus
Petrus Christus painted The Annunciation in 1450 as one of the most famous angels’ renaissance paintings. It shows the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel meeting at the door of a church.
According to the title and Petrus Christus‘ representation, the angel told Mary she would get pregnant and bear the Messiah. The painting is extraordinary because it shows the scene from a bird’s-eye view and includes angels. This could mean that the viewer sees the same thing as either God or Christ.
The painting is also known for the artist’s meticulous attention to detail, notably the background plants. This unique painting is housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Conclusion
The Renaissance dominated European art during the 14th and 17th centuries, influencing many aspects of life. It was a period when the world woke up and realized itself. Artists split from the Church and portrayed reality as they saw it.
During the Renaissance, angels were also used in paintings and other works of art. As a result, paintings with angels are among the most famous pieces in human history, regardless of the artist’s intentions or purpose.
