Angels Carrying Gideon's Fleece 1729 - 1742

Curator: Oh, this print—Nicolas Le Sueur's "Angels Carrying Gideon's Fleece," from around the early 18th century—always strikes me as so buoyant, despite the underlying gravity of its subject matter. Editor: It has a dreamlike quality, almost like memories surfacing. The figures seem to float, unbound by earthly constraints. It feels very optimistic. Curator: The fleece itself, a symbol of divine assurance from the Book of Judges, represents Gideon's faith tested. The angels cradling it soften the narrative, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. Angels are potent symbols of intercession. And the fleece—it's such a primal image of comfort, of being sheltered by something natural yet imbued with meaning. Curator: Le Sueur’s delicate lines and use of the clouds further enhances the ephemeral quality of faith itself, a reminder of its mysteries. It's like catching a glimpse into a sacred story. Editor: A fleeting glimpse, indeed. And one that leaves you feeling comforted and uplifted.