Angel 1750 - 1799

Salvatore di Franco created this terracotta angel in the 18th century; its delicate colors and detailed features draw us into a world of ethereal beauty and religious symbolism. Notice how the angel carries a censer, a vessel from which incense is burned, symbolizing prayer and purification. The smoke rising from the censer is an offering to the heavens, connecting the earthly realm with the divine. This motif transcends Christianity, echoing in ancient Egyptian rituals where incense honored the gods, and in Roman practices where it sanctified spaces. The angel’s flowing garments and dynamic pose, while reminiscent of classical sculptures, also evoke the Renaissance concept of *sprezzatura*—effortless grace. This idealized beauty touches the observer on a deep, emotional level, stirring feelings of reverence. The recurring use of the censer across cultures and eras speaks to humanity’s collective yearning for spiritual elevation. Though the rituals and beliefs may differ, the underlying desire to connect with the divine remains a constant, resurfacing through art across time.