Angel 1730 - 1765

This limewood sculpture of an angel was crafted by Christian Jorhan the Elder. Here, the angelic figure, a motif deeply rooted in religious art, appears as a cherubic child. The gold wings and the diadem evoke divinity, signaling the angel's role as a messenger between the earthly and the divine. But let us think further, and make connections. This motif of the winged figure appears throughout history, from the Mesopotamian lamassu to the Greek Eros. Here, the angel's open hands, a gesture of offering or supplication, can be traced back to ancient Roman orant figures. These gestures speak to a universal human impulse: a desire for connection with the transcendent. Observe how the symbol of the angel, which embodies hope and divine intervention, resurfaces, its meaning enriched by the cultural contexts through which it passes. It’s a constant return, each iteration echoing the past while speaking to the present.