Two seated angels, facing left, reading from a song book, from The Angels' Concert 1583

This engraving by Cherubino Alberti depicts two seated angels engrossed in a songbook. Angels have long served as potent symbols in art. Rooted in ancient Near Eastern traditions, these winged messengers embody the divine. In Christianity, their role expanded as intermediaries between God and humanity, guardians, and celestial musicians. Here, the act of reading and singing suggests harmony and divine inspiration. This motif of musical angels appears throughout art history, from medieval illuminated manuscripts to Renaissance frescoes. Think of Fra Angelico's depictions of angels playing instruments. The recurrence of this motif highlights music as a conduit to spiritual transcendence. The image’s emotional power lies in its evocation of innocence and purity. These cherubic figures invite us to reflect on the enduring human desire for connection with the divine. The angel as a motif embodies a continuous thread, reappearing, evolving, and echoing through time.