King David with Angels 1620 - 1630

This drawing of King David with Angels was made by Morazzone around the early 17th century. Here we see King David, identified by his harp, accompanied by angels, likely composing or performing a psalm. The harp itself is an ancient symbol, often linked with harmony and divine inspiration. It appears throughout history, even in ancient Greece with Orpheus, where music tames wild beasts and connects the mortal with the divine. Consider how the motif of musical angels has evolved. From medieval depictions of heavenly choirs to Renaissance paintings of musical putti, the angel musician symbolizes spiritual transcendence and divine grace. The musical angels aren't merely aesthetic figures; they represent a longing for harmony and the divine within the human soul. This interplay—the earthly king, the heavenly music—evokes a powerful emotional response, a connection to something greater than oneself, that continues to resonate across centuries. The symbols live and morph, ever onward.