Historie / van het alderheyligste / sacrament / van mirakel 1800 - 1833

This 18th-century print by Philippus Jacobus Brepols, now in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the story of the Miraculous Sacrament. Angels kneel in adoration, flanking a monstrance that enshrines the host, the consecrated bread believed to be the body of Christ. The motif of kneeling angels, often flanking a divine or sacred object, recalls ancient winged figures attending Mesopotamian deities or guarding temples. This symbol migrated through the ages, appearing in Renaissance paintings as cherubic figures surrounding the Madonna. Consider the emotional power of this gesture, the angels’ downcast gaze and reverent posture reflecting a deep sense of awe. These gestures engage viewers on a subconscious level, creating a potent connection to something greater than themselves, a powerful force. It's a non-linear progression, this sacred image. The kneeling angels have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, forever shifting in meaning, taking on new forms, but retaining their core message of reverence and devotion.