Fotoreproductie van een schilderij voorstellende een engel met luit c. 1865 - 1900

This is a reproduction of a painting by Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn, depicting an angel with a lute. The angel motif is central to Christian iconography, symbolizing purity and divine intervention. The lute, an instrument of harmony, enhances this heavenly messenger's ethereal presence. But let us delve deeper. This combination of angel and instrument echoes through various epochs. Think of Renaissance paintings where angelic figures serenade the Virgin, or even ancient Greek depictions of Orpheus, whose music could charm even the gods. The angel is more than a religious figure; it’s a 'pathos formula,' a vessel of human longing for the divine. Notice the water. It appears as a border or passage, representing purity and the crossing of planes. Consider how the Renaissance masters employed similar visual cues. These reappear throughout history, evolving yet retaining a core of emotional expression. The power of such imagery lies in its ability to engage us on a deep, subconscious level. We see this symbol, not as a mere illustration, but as a non-linear, cyclical progression, resonating within us.