Artwork
Roundel with Angel Supporting a Heraldic Shield
Roundel with Angel Supporting a Heraldic Shield is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This circular artwork, titled "Roundel with Angel Supporting a Heraldic Shield," depicts a winged angel. The celestial figure, characterized by curly hair, is shown holding a shield adorned with a distinct black-and-gold coat of arms. Radiating sunbeams form a backdrop behind the angel, with clouds visible in the lower right, establishing a celestial setting for the heraldic display.
Subject & Meaning
The coat of arms includes a pattern of X-shapes and a fleur-de-lis, elements commonly associated with specific noble lineages or regions.
The work features an angel with a calm expression, supporting a shield that bears an intricate design. The coat of arms includes a pattern of X-shapes and a fleur-de-lis, elements commonly associated with specific noble lineages or regions. The presence of sunbeams and clouds behind the angel suggests a divine light source, a frequent motif in religious art that elevates the figure and imbues the heraldry with a sacred dimension.
Technique & Style
The depiction highlights both the ethereal quality of the angel and the precise rendering of the heraldic device. While the angel's face conveys serenity, the shield's design is executed with notable accuracy and clarity, emphasizing its specific patterns and colors. The use of radiating lines for sunbeams and softly rendered clouds creates an atmospheric effect, suggesting an otherworldly illumination that enhances the central figures and their symbolic attributes.
Artist & collection
- Roundel with Angel Supporting a Heraldic Shield
Angel Supporting a Heraldic Shield
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