Angel with a Banderole 1600 - 1688

Claude Mellan created this engraving, "Angel with a Banderole," in the 17th century, a period marked by religious conflict and fervent artistic innovation. Mellan, working in a time of Counter-Reformation, often depicted religious subjects. Here, he presents an angel standing on clouds, holding a blank banderole. This image invites contemplation on celestial communication. The angel, typically gendered male in art history, is presented with softer features, which complicates traditional representations. The blank banderole she holds becomes a powerful symbol. It suggests a space for personal reflection. What messages do we seek from the divine, and what do we, in turn, wish to communicate? Consider the delicate lines of the engraving and how they convey a sense of ethereality. Mellan’s angel hovers in a space between the heavens and earth. This piece encourages us to reflect on how we negotiate our own spiritual and earthly existence.