Console van de tabernakel door Mino da Fiesole in de Santa Croce te Florence 1864 - 1881

This is a photograph by Giacomo Brogi of Mino da Fiesole’s marble console inside the Santa Croce in Florence. Note the winged figure supporting the shelf. This angel carries the weight, both literally and symbolically, of the divine presence above. Angels, as messengers and intermediaries, have appeared in art across millennia, from ancient Mesopotamian reliefs to Renaissance paintings. Consider the angel’s wings. They are a powerful, recurring symbol, evolving from the feathered cloaks of ancient deities to the delicate, stylized wings we see here. This motif resurfaces in various forms, each time carrying echoes of its past while adapting to new cultural and religious contexts. The presence of the angel engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory of spiritual transcendence and divine connection. Symbols such as this, evolve and resurface, taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.