Art's Last Bow

  “The more materialistic science becomes, the more angels shall I paint: their wings are my protest in favour of the immortality of the soul.” – Sir Edward Burne-Jones   The jewel-hued angels of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Burne-Jones often grace Christmas cards and ornaments, but did you know that their regal appearance goes back to the way angels were depicted before the onset of Renaissance? Before angels turned into chubby children, like those at the foot of Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, they were portrayed as adults in shining robes, as described in the Bible.  Have you ever wondered why there are so many baby angels in old European art? If you’re confused by the number of tiny, winged infants in art history, this article will clarify some of the misperceptions about angels in paintings.   Brief History of Angels in Art Religious Baroque art abounds in angels, floating on clouds. Often, they look like small children with small and not very efficient-lookin...