The Almighty with Angels c. 1650s - 1660s

Luca Giordano created this ink drawing, titled "The Almighty with Angels", in the late 17th century. The sepia tones and dynamic composition immediately draw us into a celestial vision. Giordano masterfully uses line and form to create a sense of movement and depth. The Almighty is enthroned above a congregation of angels, their small bodies rendered with quick, swirling lines, conveying their ethereal nature. Below, additional groups of angels further emphasize the heavens opening before us. What is intriguing is how the artist uses the structure of the page itself. The composition is divided, almost like a stage, creating a hierarchy, with God in the upper section, presiding over the cherubic throngs. These divisions, combined with the energetic lines, destabilize a conventional, static religious scene. In closing, observe how Giordano used ink to create a sense of both the divine and the dynamic. This drawing invites us to contemplate the power of art to not just depict, but also to interpret and reimagine sacred narratives.