Angels in Art (3 of 4): Narrative Roles
Introduction
In the previous post, we explored how the Catechism’s description of angels’ nature is represented by the symbolism of the artistic tradition. What about the Catechism’s description of angels’ job?
As a reminder, their job is to glorify God and to serve his plan for earthly creatures. In Christian art, we often see angels fulfilling these roles as part of the story that the paintings are telling.
Narrative Roles
Adoring God
For example, angels are frequently depicted paying homage to the divine throne, Christ in glory, or other manifestations of the Godhead.
Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Triumph of the Name of Jesus (detail, 1679)
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Virgin with Angels (1900)
Bridge between Heaven and Earth
Owing to their intermediary role, angels in art are often seen bridging the gap between Heaven and earth.
Francesco Fontebasso, St. Peter of Alcantara and St. Teresa of Avila (ca. 1765)
Agents of Divine Intervention
In art as in the Bible, angels frequently serve as agents of God’s intervention in human affairs.
Giovanni Battista Pittoni, Sacrifice of Isaac (ca. 1720)
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Hagar and Ishmael (1732)
Mediating Revelation
In another take on their intermediary role between God and human beings, angels are often shown communicating divine revelation.
Luca Giordano, Dream of St. Joseph (detail, ca. 1700)
Alonso Cano, St. John the Evangelist’s Vision of Jerusalem (ca. 1637)
In this painting by Peter Paul Rubens, the synoptic evangelists listen intently as an angel tells them exactly what to write (John is paying no attention, which is apparently why his Gospel is so different!).
Peter Paul Rubens, Four Evangelists (ca. 1614)
Mediating Spiritual Experience
In a similar vein, angels are nearly always present as mediators in depictions of mystics in ecstasy.
Johann Liss, Ecstasy of St. Paul (1629)
Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, Ecstasy of St. Francis (1729)
Pompeo Batoni, Ecstasy of St. Catherine of Siena (1743)
Escorting into Paradise
This theme echoes the line from the traditional Requiem Mass: “In paradisum te deducant Angeli…” (“May the Angels lead you into paradise…”).
Sebastiano Ricci, Apotheosis of St. Sebastian (ca. 1725)
Charles-Joseph Natoire, Apotheosis of St. Louis IX (detail, 1756)
Of course, this motif is particularly prevalent in depictions of the Assumption.
Peter Paul Rubens, Assumption of the Virgin (1611)
Nicolas Poussin, Assumption of the Virgin (ca. 1631)
Other?
Occasionally in works of art, we find angels fulfilling narrative roles that lie a bit further afield. Here, angels are doing St. Didacus of Alcalá’s kitchen chores for him so that he can spend more time in prayerful contemplation.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Angels’ Kitchen (1646)
In this delightful late-Medieval German painting, the Holy Family’s life of idyllic leisure is enabled by a workforce of angels. Jesus is waving goodbye to his mother as he toddles off to play with Joseph, and, if you look carefully, you’ll see that angels are: thatching the roof; drawing water; fluffing Mary’s pillow; and doing the laundry.
Anonymous (German), Holy Family with Angels (ca. 1425)
Finally, here is my favorite angelic job from art history: babysitting Jesus while the Virgin Mary body-slams the devil!
Taymouth Hours Book, Virgin Mary Wrestling the Devil (ca. 1325)
What’s Next
In the final post, we’ll complete our analysis of angels’ roles in art by exploring how they can be used in paintings as compositional devices.