Angels in the Sky 1758 - 1762

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo rendered this drawing, “Angels in the Sky,” with pen and brown ink, sometime in the 18th century. Here, ethereal figures float among the clouds. Wings, of course, are the dominant motif, symbolic of divinity, transcendence, and the capacity to bridge the earthly and the celestial realms. Consider the evolution of winged figures throughout history. From ancient Mesopotamian deities to the Greek Nike, wings signify power and divine status. In Christian iconography, angels serve as messengers between God and humanity, their wings emblems of swiftness and obedience. Yet, the psychological weight of wings extends beyond religious contexts. They represent our innate desire to overcome earthly constraints. The longing to escape the earthly realm resonates deeply within the human psyche, revealing a profound connection to the transcendental. Notice how these figures are composed, caught in dynamic gestures and full of movement, evoking intense emotional states such as awe and reverence. The winged motif is a testament to our enduring fascination with the divine and our eternal quest to transcend earthly bounds, constantly resurfacing.