The Hierarchy of the Heavens
1565
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1565
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Hierarchy of the Heavens is a 1565 by Jost Amman, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print is packed with tiny, swirling figures in a chaotic, circular scene. At the top, angels and light beams radiate from a central point, while below, a crowd of people—some standing, some climbing—fills the space. The edges are framed by ornate scrollwork and numbers, giving it a busy, almost crowded feel. The mix of heavenly and earthly figures suggests a story about order and chaos. The artist packed so much detail into a small space that it feels like a puzzle. Check out the Renaissance movement next to see how artists used similar crowded scenes to tell big ideas.
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