Biblical Composition 1844

Józef Simmler created this Biblical Composition with pencil on paper; it depicts an angel carrying a male figure into the sky. Angels, divine messengers with wings, are seen across cultures and religions, symbolizing guidance and protection, dating back to ancient Mesopotamian art. Here, the angel’s protective gesture is evocative of the classical motif of 'Psychopomps,' figures who guide souls to the afterlife. The act of carrying the figure upwards might remind us of similar motifs in antiquity. Consider how this reflects earlier depictions of celestial transport, such as Ganymede being carried off by Zeus's eagle, symbolizing immortality, or the ascension of heroes into Valhalla in Norse mythology. These echoes remind us that these images tap into a collective unconsciousness, a deep-seated human desire for transcendence and immortality. The emotional power of being carried to the sky, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, resurfaces in different historical contexts, bearing new meanings.