There are big angels and small angels, serious angels and joyful angels. But no matter their personalities, they are a very old, very important aspect of many of the world's religions.
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However, most western angels were considered sexless and ageless. They were, interestingly enough, wingless until the 4th century AD. John Chrysostom explained it thus: "They [the wings] 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.
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This little Spanish angel looks like it doesn't quite know what its job might be, let along what order it might call home!
It wasn't until the Renaissance that the glorious angels we all now think of as quintessencially "angelic", with their brilliant and powerful wings, their flowing and sumptuous robes, their curly blond hair, their "angelic" expressions -- those stunningly beautiful creatures painted by Fra Angelico and others -- appeared. This musical angel is powerful, a creature to be reckoned with, to be revered, to be placated, to be honored, to be noticed. This beautiful angel blowing its horn is from a 15th-century print by Durer.
In my next blog, I will talk about the process of taking a Renaissance print of an angel and turning it into a chart for stitching. But until then, may I recommend some good sources for information on angels?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel
Barker, Margaret. An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels. MQ Publications, 2004.
Bussagli, Marco. Angels. Abrams, 2006.
Neret, Gilles. Angels. Taschen, 2003.
Zuffi, Stefano. Angels and Demons in Art. J. Paul Getty Museum, 2005.
In my next blog, I will talk about the process of taking a Renaissance print of an angel and turning it into a chart for stitching. But until then, may I recommend some good sources for information on angels?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel
Barker, Margaret. An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels. MQ Publications, 2004.
Bussagli, Marco. Angels. Abrams, 2006.
Neret, Gilles. Angels. Taschen, 2003.
Zuffi, Stefano. Angels and Demons in Art. J. Paul Getty Museum, 2005.
My husband peered over my shoulder and read the article with great interest--after I drew his attention to it,of course. We are interested in history and historical figures and this site certainly has them! REALLY enjoy reading them all.
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