Design for a Cupola with Old and New Testament Figures 1720 - 1804

Pietro de Angelis designed this cupola with Old and New Testament figures using pen and watercolor. It is an interesting visual, and a complex mix of religious ideas. Think about Italy at the turn of the 19th century, a place where the ancient world, the biblical one, and the modern one were all swirling together. The painting creates a space where figures from different eras share the same space. It raises questions: who gets to be in heaven? How are these figures – Mary, Jesus, the angels – influencing the viewers? Consider, too, that the cupola is round, a shape that has no beginning and no end. It's a bold choice that prompts us to question traditional narratives and the intersection of faith, history, and identity. This design isn’t just about religion, it's about inviting conversation and challenging what we think we know.