Christ and the Virgin with Music-Making Angels
1829
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1829
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows two figures sitting on a cloud, surrounded by angels. The person on the left looks calm, holding a cloth with a cross on it. The person on the right has her hands folded, wearing a simple robe. Around them, five angels float—some play stringed instruments, one holds a book, and another has a trumpet. The angels’ soft wings blend into the cloudy background, making the scene feel dreamy. The artist used pencil to create smooth shading, giving the figures a gentle, almost glowing look. Next, look up Romanticism to see how this style emphasized emotion and imagination.
