Who painted Guardian Angel?

Guardian Angel was painted by Simone Cantarini in 1644.

Where can I see Guardian Angel?

Guardian Angel is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Guardian Angel?

Guardian Angel is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Guardian Angel?

Museum-quality prints of Guardian Angel are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Guardian Angel

Simone Cantarini , 1644

Guardian Angel is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand, center verso in graphite: Sim da Pesaro; lower left verso in graphite: belle / Bartsch p. 67, 27

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1644, Guardian Angel is an etching on laid paper by Simone Cantarini, an Italian artist also known as Simone da Pesaro. The work depicts an angel with outstretched wings standing on a rocky slope, gently holding a child's hand as both gaze upward toward a clouded sky. The composition balances a serene figure against a carefully rendered landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a protective angel guiding a young child, a motif common in Baroque religious iconography that emphasizes divine guardianship and spiritual ascent. The upward gaze of both figures suggests a shared focus on the heavens, reinforcing themes of faith, safety, and the intercession of celestial beings.

Technique & Style

Cantarini employed traditional etching methods, incising fine lines into a metal plate before printing onto laid paper. The resulting marks are soft yet precise, rendering delicate drapery, the texture of the rocky ground, and subtle atmospheric effects. The print exemplifies the artist’s blend of Bolognese classicism with a naturalistic attention to detail.

History & Provenance

The etching is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. It entered the museum’s holdings through acquisition, joining other works that illustrate Cantarini’s printmaking alongside his more widely known paintings.