Moment of Zen - Angels in Art

Angels have been a popular subject for artists for centuries such as in the Annunciation by El Greco from 1575. They are usually depicted as essentially human in form but with wings and usually larger than a person. In religion they are usually seen as being the highest beings below God. The Archangels Gabriel and Michael are important messsangers from God in Christian tradition (Raphael and Uriel also but to a much lesser extent). Artists therefore tend to paint angels either as specific figures such as Gabriel in scenes of the Annunciation like this one; alternatively they may be much more generalised figures intended to convey sense of the Heavenly Host. Heaven is hard to illustrate so devices such as angelic presence are important in its depiction.