Engel bespeelt een lier in een landschap 1830

This is an engraving by Philippus Velijn, made in 1830, depicting an angel playing a lyre in a landscape. The angel, a cherubic figure with wings, holds a lyre, an instrument associated with harmony and divine inspiration. This symbol has echoes throughout history, from ancient Greek depictions of Apollo, the god of music and light, to Renaissance allegories of divine love. Notice how the lyre appears in different contexts, sometimes as an instrument of celebration, other times as a symbol of mourning, demonstrating the evolution of cultural symbols. Such images tap into our collective memory, stirring deep emotional responses. The serene expression on the angel’s face, combined with the gentle music, evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. Observe the cyclical nature of symbols and how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.