The Holy Ghost Surrounded by Angels 1669 - 1711

Hans Georg Asam made this drawing titled "The Holy Ghost Surrounded by Angels" using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. Asam, living in Bavaria during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was working in the midst of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, a period that heavily influenced artistic production. In this drawing, Asam uses the visual language of the Baroque to create a sense of divine spectacle. Angels are depicted in dynamic poses, surrounding the Holy Ghost in a radiant burst of light. These figures, while ostensibly sexless, are androgynous, blurring the lines of gender. Asam’s emotionally charged work can be seen as contributing to the Counter-Reformation’s goal of reaffirming Catholic doctrine through art that appealed directly to the senses and emotions. The drawing reflects the intense spirituality of its time, but also reveals the complex negotiations of identity and representation that continue to resonate today. The work transcends its historical context, inviting us to contemplate the emotional and personal dimensions of faith.