Read the visual description
The drawing shows cherubic figures ascending towards the heavens. It depicts several cherubs floating amongst clouds and celestial beams. Each cherub is drawn with simple, fluid lines. The use of line work creates a sense of movement as the cherubs appear to be ascending towards rays of light from above. The overall composition has a harmonious and uplifting ambiance, with the cherubic figures evoking a sense of divinity and purity.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Group of Angels in Glory
Italian 17th Century, after Luca Cambiaso
- Date
- 18th century
- Medium
- pen and brown ink, pricked for transfer
- Dimensions
- sheet: 42 x 28.2 cm (16 9/16 x 11 1/8 in.) mount: 57 x 42 cm (22 7/16 x 16 9/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2012.61.2
- Credit line
- Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
- Time span
- 1651 to 1700
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Angel
- Sky
- Cherub
- Cloud
Provenance
Dr. Lewis Carlson; [Susan Schulman, New York]; purchased 2012 by NGA.
Inscription
in seventeenth-century hand, lower right, in pen and black ink: Luca Cangiaso; by seventeenth-century hand, lower right, in pen and brown ink: 49; by later hand, lower right on mount, in pen and brown ink: 49; by later hand, lower right on mount, in graphite: Luca Cambiaso (probably engraver's drawing / after an original) [crossed out]; by later hand, lower margin of mount, in graphite: GUIDO RENI / DRAWING FOR ENGRAVING [crossed out] (AFTER PAINTING BY LUCA CAMBIASO); by Andrew Robison, lower margin on mount, in graphite: Anonymous Italian 17th century Angels in Glory [underlined] (after Luca Cambiaso); by seventeenth-century hand, lower right edge verso, in pen and brown ink: 650
NGA object ID 158612. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.