Winged angel holding a palm in his right hand and with drapery behind him 1620 - 1700

This is "Winged angel holding a palm in his right hand and with drapery behind him", a work by Cherubino Alberti, made without a specified date. Here, the winged figure is shown holding a palm branch, a potent symbol reaching back to ancient Rome, where it signified victory and triumph. Over time, its meaning has gracefully shifted, particularly in early Christian art, to represent martyrdom and spiritual victory over death. Note the drapery, and the angel's upward gaze, suggesting divine inspiration. Consider how this motif of the palm has been passed down through the ages, resurfacing in different contexts, each time charged with new layers of significance. From a symbol of military triumph to spiritual transcendence, it shows our enduring need to visualize and embody victory, both earthly and divine. Just as these symbols endure, so too does our collective subconscious, shaping how we see and interpret these images.