The Angel of the Lord Smote in the Camp of the Assyrians (2 Kings XIX, 35), Illustration from Bible. Nuremberg, Koberger, 1483 c. 15th century

Editor: This illustration, "The Angel of the Lord Smote in the Camp of the Assyrians," is from a Nuremberg Bible printed in 1483. The angel looks so serene even as violence unfolds. How do you interpret this work from a formalist perspective? Curator: Notice how the composition divides the pictorial plane. The angel, centrally located, acts as a vertical axis, separating the foreground carnage from the background landscape. The limited color palette emphasizes the contrast between the angel's robe and the slain soldiers. Editor: So, the formal elements create a sense of order and hierarchy in what is otherwise a chaotic scene? Curator: Precisely. The formal elements, in their arrangement, convey thematic content. Did you observe the varied textures in the image? Editor: Yes! The textures and colors definitely add layers to the story, which highlights the angel's divine power.