Angels on Canvas

St. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy 1595 Caravaggio

Italian artist Caravaggio was well-known for his paintings of religious themes. This artwork depicts Saint Francis of Assisi cradled in the arms of an angel at the moment that he experienced a phenomenon called Stigmata. This means that Saint Francis had received wounds on his hands and feet representative of the crucifixion of Christ. The angel depicted in the painting is a six-winged seraphim which is a description from the Old Testament about angels.

Conversion of Saul Michelangelo

Italian artist Michelangelo created this artwork of the story when Apostle Paul encounter Christ in the New Testament. The artist creates on canvas the moment when Christ revealed himself to Saul, who later was called Paul and his fellow travelers on the road to the city of Damascus. It was painted between 1542 and 1545 in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican.

In the painting you can see many more characters than there were in the actual Bible story. Michelangelo included many depictions of angels surrounding Christ while he hovered above Paul. The angles are invisible to the men accompanying Saul since they only focus on the intense light seen at the appearance of Christ. This is considered to be among the most famous religious paintings of all time.

A Soul Brought to Heaven 1878 William-Adolphe Bouguereau

French academic artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau was known for his lifelike portrayal of the human form in the late 19th century. This artwork is among his famous paintings relating to angels. It depicts a woman being taken into the clouds unaware that she is being carried by angels.

Song of the Angels 1881 William-Adolphe Bouguereau

French academic artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau was famous for his angel paintings. In this artwork from the Renaissance period angels surround Virgin Mary who is holding a sleeping baby Jesus. The angels make sure they have successfully put the baby to sleep with their music.

The Sistine Madonna 1512 Raphael

Italian artist Raphael is among the most notable artists in history. This painting is centered around angels and divine figures featuring a representation of the Virgin Mary. The artwork was commissioned by Pope Julius II. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus while walking on a cloud, Next to her are Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara but the most prominent figures are the two childlike cherubs below her gazing up at her and baby Jesus.

The Annunciation 1450 Petrus Christus

Early Neatherland artist Petrus Christus created this artwork which is among the most famous of his angel paintings. In the painting he depicts the Virgin Mary meeting Angel Gabriel at the door of a church. It happens at the moment when the angel told Mary she would become pregnant and bear the child who would be the Messian.

Jacob Wrestling with Angel 1659 Rembrandt van Rijn

Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt created this artwork depicting a Biblical story. In the story Jacob is wrestling with an angel of God. In the painting Rembrandt portrays the angel as remaining calm while Jacob is fighting with all his strength. Through his divine power the angel holds back Jacob and does him no harm.

The Angel Standing in the Sun Joseph Mallord William Turner

English Romantic artist Joseph Mallord William Turner was known for his landscape and marine paintings but occasionally created a religious themed painting. In this artwork one can see an angel standing in the sun with a long sword about to exact vengeance upon mankind. Figures can be seen to the lower right and left of the canvas. To the left are Adam and Eve lamenting over the death of their son Abel of the hands of Cain, To the right the figure of Judith beheads the Assyrian General Holofernes to attempt to save her people from death,

The Triumph of Victory 1614 Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens created this artwork which is among his most famous angel paintings created in the 17th century. It depicts an allegorical scene of good triumphing over evil. The artwork had many different symbolic meanings. The victor is seen sitting on the dead bodies of men who appear to be bound hand and foot. This represents a Biblical depiction of how Christ was said to bind Satan and evil spirits. The angel is shown placing a crown of oak leaves on the man’s head as a symbol of triumph.