How to Draw Angels, part IV

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In: The Christian Artist

or When is an Angel not an Angel?

How to Draw Angels, part I
How to Draw Angels, part II
How to Draw Angels, part III

Angels are not human beings and humans do not become angels. Even so, there are times when angels are depicted as humans in religious art. Are there times when humans may be depicted as angels?

Yes and no. The answer is a little complicated but shows how artists can sometimes take on the role of theologian.

We know that an angel is being depicted when we we recognize a combination of certain symbolic elements that together add up to “Angel.” Generally speaking, when the figure is human in form but without an obvious gender, has wings, and is barefoot, we can be fairly certain that it is an angel that is being depicted. We get further clues from the context of the image we are looking at as well as any other attributes included in the picture.

But there are times when what appears to be an angel is either not an angel or its meaning is intended to be ambiguous. Let’s look at some examples.

Abraham’s Visitors

In chapter 18 of the Book of Genesis we are told that Abraham is visited by the Lord. But when he looked up he saw three “men” (Genesis 18:2.) So the problem for the artist is how to convey that the three visitors who had the appearance of men were not actually men but something of the divine. Traditionally that problem has been solved by showing the three visitors with wings.

Wings are a symbol of spirituality. Therefore wings are meant to convey a spiritual dimension to the figure being represented. At first glance this may make them appear to be angels but wings alone do not an angel make, symbolically speaking.

Jacob Wrestles God

Similarly in Genesis 32:24 Jacob wrestles with a man, whom he identifies six verses later as God. God is frequently depicted in art as an angel. Such as this illustration by Dore.

Gustave Dore 1855 (detail)

So we have God, who appeared as a man, depicted as an angel, all to inform the viewer that the “man” Jacob wrestled with was not a man at all.

Woman Clothed with the Sun

In the Book of the Revelation of Saint John we encounter the woman clothed with the sun. This is a very complex symbol that represents Israel, the Church, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The 16th century German artist Albrecht Durer envisioned her this way.

Albrecht Durer 1497-1498
The wings are explained in verse 14 of chapter 12: “the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness.” Rev 14:12
John the Baptist
Finally there is a tradition that refers to John the Baptist as the “Angel of the Desert.” Theologically speaking John is a messenger (angel) preparing the way for the coming of Christ God. When portrayed in this aspect John may appear to be an angel.
It is important to remember that religious art, that is, art that is intended to convey a religious truth, points to something beyond the surface imagery. Here the artist takes on the role of the theologian along with the responsibility of not leading the viewer into error. For our part as viewers we cannot make quick judgments as to what we are seeing. Rather we must look past the image to seek the truth that is being depicted.
What else can symbols tell us about the angels we see depicted in art? Stay tuned for part V

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