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Angel
Angel
Photo by Peter Paul Geoffrion

Angel

Artist (Italian, 1603–1646)
Date17th century
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions33 1/4 x 28 1/8 inches (84.5 x 71.5 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of Joseph F. McCrindle
Object number1998.1.1
Collections
  • EUROPEAN
  • PROVENANCE RESEARCH
Label TextThis painting illustrates the use of sfumato, a technique popular during the Renaissance. Sfumato, which means “smoky”, describes a style of painting that eliminates harsh outlines and borders, allowing the forms of the painting to blend together through shadows and a blurred glow. This work, depicting an angel with soft, translucent wings and gauzy garments against a dark background, most likely illustrates the moment of the Annunciation, a popular Biblical theme in Catholic Italy. Here the angel Gabriel descends from heaven to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would become the Mother of God. It may have been paired with a pendant picture of the Virgin to complete the scene.
ProvenancePurchased June 7, 1961 through (Carlo Sestieri, Rome) by Joseph McCrindle; gift 1998 to Duke University Museum of Art, now Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.