Gloria in Excelsis 1893

Evelyn De Morgan rendered ‘Gloria in Excelsis’ using oil on canvas, capturing divine harmony. Angels, symbols of messengers between the earthly and divine, dominate the scene, their presence reinforced by the unified choir above, bathed in celestial light. Consider the harp held by one angel: it is not merely a musical instrument. In ancient Greece, the lyre—its ancestor—was associated with Apollo, embodying harmony and order. This connection resonates through time; from David’s harp in the Bible to Orpheus charming the underworld, music becomes the language of the soul, capable of altering emotions and piercing the veil between worlds. De Morgan presents this symbol to invoke a deep, subconscious response, expressing the inexpressible through visual and auditory harmony. As such, the cyclical nature of symbols evolves and resurfaces, imbuing the artwork with layers of meaning.