Angel Playing Lyre c. 19th century

Editor: This is Giovanni Paolo Lasinio's "Angel Playing Lyre." It's an engraving, and the angel seems to be floating serenely. What do you see in this piece in terms of its social implications? Curator: Look closely. How does the angel's idealized form reinforce or challenge societal expectations of beauty and femininity at the time? Consider, too, the role of religious art in perpetuating power structures. Does this angel serve those structures, or offer some form of resistance? Editor: I hadn't thought about it in terms of power. It’s more than just a pretty picture. Curator: Exactly! Art always exists within a complex web of social and historical forces. Hopefully, that awareness will inform your future viewing.