Angel with the Fiery Sword 1893

Curator: Henry Wolf, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created this engraving, "Angel with the Fiery Sword." Editor: The composition is striking. The angel, bathed in an ethereal light, holds a sword that seems to bisect the work. Curator: Angels, like this one, often symbolized divine intervention, protection, and justice, reflecting the religious sensibilities of the time. Editor: The dark background and the forward-facing, almost confrontational pose, give the piece a somewhat ominous quality. It's not the gentle angel one might expect. Curator: Wolf's work appeared in publications like Harper's and Scribner's. This piece likely speaks to that late 19th-century audience. Editor: Right. The formal elements support a reading that connects to the power structures of the period. Curator: Indeed. The cultural context would have shaped how audiences interpreted its symbolism, linking to notions of power and control. Editor: And that contrast between light and darkness creates a fascinating tension.