Artwork
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartolomé Román. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work’s meaning is rooted in its religious context, emphasizing the heavenly intercession that brings spiritual renewal to the faithful.
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers is depicted as a celestial figure releasing blossoms, a visual metaphor for divine blessing and the dissemination of grace. In the composition the archangel is identified by his winged form and the act of scattering flowers, an iconographic attribute associated with Barachiel, one of the seven archangels who serve as bearers of divine messages. The work’s meaning is rooted in its religious context, emphasizing the heavenly intercession that brings spiritual renewal to the faithful.
The painting was created by Bartolomé Román in 1601 and is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 207 cm in height and 141 cm in width. It belongs to the religious genre and was originally housed in the Museo del Prado before being transferred to the Museo de la Trinidad. The subject’s iconography aligns with traditional representations of Barachiel, reinforcing themes of divine favor and protection.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, reflecting typical early‑17th‑century Spanish religious practice. The composition portrays the archangel Baraquiel (identified as Barachiel) scattering flowers, a motif that conveys divine blessing and celestial harmony. Brushwork and coloration demonstrate a naturalistic handling of light, while the delicate rendering of floral elements underscores a refined formal balance between figure and decorative detail.
These stylistic choices align with the devotional aesthetic of the period, emphasizing both narrative clarity and ornamental elegance.
History & Provenance
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers is an oil-on-canvas painting dated to 1601, attributed to Bartolomé Román, with Juan Antonio de Frías y Escalante also credited as a creator. The work entered the collection of the Museo de la Trinidad before being transferred to the Museo del Prado, where it is currently held. No further details about its commission, prior ownership, or earlier provenance are documented in the available sources.
The painting measures 207 cm in height and 141 cm in width, and depicts the archangel Barachiel as its main subject.
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers is held at the Museo del Prado, with the work additionally associated with the collection of the Museo de la Trinidad. The painting is catalogued as part of the Prado's holdings and is documented on Wikidata as located at the Museo del Prado.
No specific exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
The Archangel Baraquiel scattering flowers is a 1601 oil painting by Bartolomé Román, housed at the Museo del Prado. It portrays the archangel Baraquiel in a serene, natural setting.
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Artist & collection
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