Standing Figure of an Angel 1695 - 1705

Pedro Duque Cornejo created this Standing Figure of an Angel with pen and brown ink. The composition immediately draws the eye upward along the angel's figure, its verticality emphasized by the flowing lines of its garment. This is countered by the horizontal expanse of its wings. The artist's meticulous lines create a sense of movement and dynamism. This interplay reflects the Baroque period's interest in capturing moments of intense emotion and spiritual awakening. Semiotically, the angel with its raised hand signifies a divine messenger. Yet, there is ambiguity in the gesture – is it a blessing, a warning, or simply a beckoning? Cornejo uses line and form to construct not just an image but a theological question. The ethereal quality of the angel invites us to reflect on the space between the divine and the mortal. The artwork, therefore, functions beyond mere aesthetic appeal; it serves as a focal point for contemplation.