Entwurf eines großen und eines kleinen Engels 1580 - 1590

This is a drawing of two angels, sketched by Palma il Giovane during the late 16th or early 17th century. A grand angel leads a cherubic child, perhaps guiding them towards the divine. Notice the bundle of sticks the child carries; these are fasces, ancient Roman symbols of authority and unity. The fasces are intriguing, aren't they? From Rome, they signified power, carried by lictors before magistrates. Yet, consider how these symbols of authority have reappeared across time, sometimes twisted. Think of their later adoption by fascist movements, a stark contrast to their republican origins. This transformation reveals a powerful psychological phenomenon: the human tendency to imbue objects with meaning, altering and adapting them across generations. Perhaps, Palma il Giovane sought to imbue the angels with the authority of the divine. A potent reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying the weight of history and collective memory.