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What are angels? William Blake maintains he saw one in Peckham, but few people have been blessed with such a revelation. This book looks at 28 paintings from medieval times onwards in the search for answers. The angels depicted include the glowing beings painted by Fra Angelico, as well as the innocent creatures depicted by Rossetti. Works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Grunewald and Bellini are also included. The accompanying narrative explains the paintings, and what each angel is doing, as well as providing biographical information on the painter. Some of the pictures are shown in their entirety, others in detail only.
This book investigates the historical and theological representation of angels through the lens of Western art history. Caroline Johnson examines how artists from the medieval period through the nineteenth century have visualized these celestial beings, using twenty-eight specific paintings as primary evidence. By analyzing the stylistic choices of masters such as Leonardo, Botticelli, and Fra Angelico, the author constructs a framework for understanding how angelic iconography has evolved alongside changing cultural perceptions of the divine.
What You Will Find
The subject matter points to an accessible, introductory survey that bridges the gap between art history and religious iconography. The focus on specific visual examples suggests a text designed for readers seeking a structured, visually-oriented exploration of how celestial themes have been interpreted by canonical painters.
Page Count:
64
Publication Date:
1993-10-21
Publisher:
Fount
ISBN-10:
0006276946
ISBN-13:
9780006276944
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