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The image shows a human figure with wings positioned as though in flight. The figure is captured from a slightly frontal perspective, with the head turned downwards and the right arm outstretched. The facial features are undefined, focusing more on the body's muscular structure. The figure wears a cloth or drapery around the waist and has well-defined muscles on the chest, arms, and legs. Large wings extend out behind the figure, adding to the sense of flight. The background is plain with a light texture.
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The image shows a human figure with wings positioned as though in flight. The figure is captured from a slightly frontal perspective, with the head turned downwards and the right arm outstretched. The facial features are undefined, focusing more on the body's muscular structure. The figure wears a cloth or drapery around the waist and has well-defined muscles on the chest, arms, and legs. Large wings extend out behind the figure, adding to the sense of flight. The background is plain with a light texture.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Flying Angel

Jacopo Palma il Giovane

Date
1580/1590
Medium
pen and brown ink, heightened with white, over black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
overall (approximate): 27.4 x 17.4 cm (10 13/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1978.26.1
Credit line
Andrew W. Mellon Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Venetian
  • Renaissance
  • angels
  • religious
Provenance

From the so-called Borghese Album; Collection of an unidentified gentleman (sale, London, Sotheby and Co., 1 July 1971, no. 21); (H. Shickman Gallery, New York); purchased by NGA, 1978.

Inscription

on verso in pen: G.P.no: 76; cut from old mount and attached to recto of present mount: G.P. no.315.

NGA object ID 56625. 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.