The Glory of Angels

Angel Art Through the Ages

By Edward Lucie-Smith

“The Glory of Angels,” a beautiful, oversized coffee table book, examines and describes angels from historical, religious, cultural, and artistic perspectives.

In this photo gallery, we offer you a quick view inside the book as well as 10 selected artworks of angels depicted throughout history, from a 12th century fresco of a seraphim to angels on a sarong to angel paintings by El Greco and Paul Gauguin.

Author Bio: Edward Lucie-Smith is an internationally known art critic, historian, published poet, and author of more than a hundred books.

Photo Credit: All images featured in this gallery are reprinted from "The Glory of Angels" by Edward Lucie-Smith with permission of HarperCollins and Scala Group SpA. Copyright 2009. All images, protected by copyright and watermark, are for reference use only. The downloading, reproduction, copying, publication or distribution of any image that appears on this website is forbidden by law.

Image Above: Linaiuoli Madonna (details) by Fra Angelico (1387-1455)

A Quick Look Inside "The Glory of Angels"

"While many people have a strong instinctive belief in angelic presences, they generally find it difficult to visualize angels themselves.

If we look at the belief in angels, we immediately understand how our own conception of them has been formed by sacred texts and by great artists over the centuries. Works of art have been instrumental in creating the established traditions of angels' physical appearance and their role as guides, protectors, and messengers."

Click "Next" to see how 10 different artists have painted angels throughout history.

Image Above: (left and right panels only) Scenes from the Life of Mary (detail of angels playing music) - Master of the Life of Mary, 15th Century

Love at the Fountain of Life by Giovanni Segantini (1858-1899)

Love at the Fountain of Life by Giovanni Segantini (1858-1899)

Birth of Christ Tahitian Style by Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

Winged Apsaras Playing on a Horn by Becheram Das Pande (India, 19th Century)

Archangel Michael (Russian Icon, circa 1390)

Tobias and the Archangel Raphael (Titian School, 16th Century)

Seraphim (Romanesque Fresco, 12th Century)

Two Angels (Islamic Illuminated Page, 16th Century)

Batik Sarong (Indonesia, 19th Century)

The Adoration of the Shepherds by El Greco (1541-1614)

Liberation of St. Peter by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618-1682)