Engel slaapt op grond naast bed van kind 1590 - 1624

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this artwork as an engraving. Dominating the scene is the sleeping angel, lying on the floor next to the bed of a child. The angel, a symbol of divine protection, embodies innocence and purity. Throughout history, angels have appeared in art as intermediaries between the earthly and the divine. Consider the Winged Victory of Samothrace from ancient Greece, where the winged figure signifies triumph and divine favor. Over time, the angel has transformed from a symbol of victory to a symbol of comfort and guardianship, reflecting a shift in cultural and spiritual values. The emotional power of this image lies in the vulnerability of the sleeping angel, an unexpected subversion of power. The image engages our subconscious, reminding us of the universal desire for protection and the vulnerability we all share. It embodies a powerful and cyclical idea that continues to resonate across cultures.