Angels

by Marco Bussagli

From the same series as Abrams’ successful A Year in Faith and Art comes Heavenly Messengers , with representations of these celestial heralds from early Christian mosaics to the paintings of Marc Chagall. Art historian Marco Bussagli has organized the book by significant Biblical events, beginning with the Creation in Genesis and ending with John the Evangelist’s vision of Heaven on Earth in Revelations; each work of art is accompanied by the Biblical passage it illustrates, along with a commentary exploring its form and meaning. In addition to seldom-seen gems, Bussagli has included favorites such as Michelangelo’s Creation of Man in the Sistine Chapel, Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, and Rembrandt’s Sacrifice of Isaac. Here are angels as assistants, messengers, punishers, soldiers, rebels, and saviors, assembled for the delectation and delight of both art lovers and believers.

Genres: Art, Religion

780 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2006

Reviews

[Dani Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books in my art history collection. This book is like a little jewel, beautifully designed both inside and out. Every page is rich with color; paintings from across history have been faithfully reproduced with accompanying stories and tidbits that entertain and inform nearly as much as the images and add another dimension to what the viewer is seeing. This book is such a wonderful resource for portraying angels in every form: from the delicately feminine to powerful masculine warriors with wings like eagles (my personal fave), it is well represented here.
The book also looks gorgeous on a shelf, too, with its silver leaf-like cover.
I used this book nonstop while I was working on my debut novel, Psyche's Gate, not so much for "read" information but more for fabulous visual stimulation. I completely adore the Guardian Angel painting by Matteo Loves ( c. 1660)...so much that I used the image as a model for a character illustration of my warrior angel Alexius and the child he will have with his human companion, Psyche.

[5 pound poi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book in every which way. Gracing these sheets you will find beautiful color full-page reproductions of a magnificent selection of artworks coupled with insightful & useful text on the adjoining page. A little more to be said on Angels: the paintings chosen for this compilation are pure glory, but I am even more impressed with the idea of taking the reader through major events of the Bible with these paintings and I am doubly impressed with the addition of accompanying text that spans from theology to art history. I gained both pleasure and knowledge by reading this and that in and of itself deserves my accolades.

My personal favorites:
SARAH AND THE ANGEL by Tiepolo pg. 144
THE ANGELS OF SODOM by Gustave Moreau pg. 146
THE PLAGUE by Arnold Böcklin pg. 236
JUDITH PRAYING by Jacques Stella pg. 308
THE GUARDIAN ANGEL by Matteo Loves pg. 328
INITIAL "D" WITH GOD THE FATHER IN GLORY by Belbello de Pavia pg. 332
THE ANNUNCIATION by James Tissot pg. 614
NATIVITY by Piero della Francesca pg. 618
FALL OF THE REBEL ANGELS by Limbourg brothers pg. 702

[Elena Salazar]

...angeles en la historia del arte, con fragmentos de relatos.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork and various forms it is presented in is stunning, beautiful...cannot say enough. This is the perfect size compact book for coffee table