Ruth Langenberg

For centuries, artists have incorporated angels into their works. In the Symbolist movement of the late nineteenth century, these heavenly figures embodied a defiant stance against the materialism and scientific rationalism of that era. The Pre-Raphaelites and Art Nouveau artists especially embraced the angel as a romantic symbol of beauty, grace, and imagination. The masterpieces included in this volume feature angels in varying styles from an international spectrum of artists and movements. Starting with pre-Symbolist artists such as Delacroix, Blake, and Turner and featuring works by Gauguin, Burne-Jones, Kandinsky, and Chagall, the book traces the evolution of angelic depictions through the early twentieth century. Evocative texts and poems celebrating the angel in all its forms are scattered throughout this elegant and inspirational collection.