Monstrance Borne by Angels n.d.

This pen and brown ink wash drawing, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, presents a monstrance, a sacred vessel, borne aloft by angels. Without knowing who created this piece, we must ask ourselves how the visual language it uses operates within the cultural context of its time. The image teems with symbols of power and faith. The monstrance itself, usually reserved for the display of the Eucharist, becomes a focal point, signaling the authority of the church. Who is the artist trying to reach and what do they believe? The angels, with their serene expressions and delicate wings, evoke an ethereal realm, bridging the gap between the earthly and the divine. These images of angels, which recur throughout art history, often flatten the figures, obscuring the nuances of human experience. What does it mean to envision the divine through such exclusionary lenses? What alternative narratives might emerge if we centered different perspectives? Perhaps, by questioning traditional representation, we can foster a more inclusive vision of spirituality and humanity.