Kop van een engel, blazend op een bazuin 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart made this red chalk drawing of an angel blowing a trumpet sometime between 1683 and 1733. At a time when Europe was still deeply entwined with religious ideologies, Picart, who later converted to Protestantism, rendered this celestial messenger with a tangible, human presence. The angel's puffed cheeks and furrowed brow suggest the effort and force required to produce the divine sound. What does it mean to depict an angel, traditionally a symbol of purity and grace, in such a strenuous, almost grotesque manner? It’s as if Picart is reminding us that even heavenly beings must exert themselves in the service of a higher power. This drawing invites us to consider the intersection of the divine and the corporeal, challenging traditional representations and prompting a deeper reflection on the nature of faith and duty. How does this depiction resonate with your own understanding of spirituality and obligation?