{Archangels were a commonplace subject for artists from the the late Middle Ages to the end of the Renaissance Period.  As angels who played a pivotal role in many biblical stories, the four Archangels – Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel were prominent in religious lore of Christianity, Juadaism and Islam, although their greatest roles were often documented in apocryphal writings.  Archangel statues are still present across Europe due to the popularity they received during the Renaissance era.

The most famed of the Archangel Michael resides in the Santa Maria della Concezione, in the first chael.  The work is from Italian artist Guido Reni, who favored the high-Baroque style which evolved from the Roman Catholic Churches edict that religious art should appeal to the common man with drama and emotion. Reni’s The Archangel Michael shows the fair haired, musculatured angel with androgynous features hovering over the Devil, with his foot against the demon’s head forcing him into submission.  This is a scene from the Book of Revelations where Archangel Michael commands an Angel Army against Satan and binds him for 1000 years. The painting is often referred to as Archangel Michael Slaying the Devil.

God’s Messenger Gabriel was the angel who announced to the Virgin Mary that she would have a son by God.  This biblical event is referred to as The Annunciation and is a common theme of Renaissance art.  Two works stand out as iconic paintings on the subject.  Da Vinci’s the Annunciation was painted from 1472-1475 and is credited to both Da Vinci and his mentor Andrea del Verrocchio.  In the painting Archangel Gabriel kneels  before Mary, a Madonna lily in hand which historians believe symbolizes Mary’s virginity.  

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday (Christmas in Connecticut / A Christmas Carol 1938 / The Shop Around the Corner / It Happened on 5th Avenue)A Christmas Carol - Reginald Owen portrays Charles Dickens' holiday humbug Ebenezer Scrooge. Christmas In Connecticut - Laughs, romance, holiday cheer: that's the recipe Barbara Stanwyck and a stellar company follow in this perennial favorite. It Happened On 5th Avenue - Home for the holidays! GI families hit by the post-World War II housing crunch take over an abandoned New York City mansion. The Shop Around The Corner - Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart play bickering store clerks who are unknowingly secret pen pals.

NECA A Christmas Story NightlightThis Christmas Story Nightlight lights the way to the bathroom on cold winter nights with a whimsical leg lamp! Everybody loves watching Ralphie's misadventures each year in the film A Christmas Story, so the leg lamp night light makes a fun gift as well. Or you can brighten your sleeping home with a little spark of movie magic!

Wilton Christmas Cookie Shapes PanSo versatile! Includes 12 classic shapes for your single-serving holiday cookies and molded desserts. Easy-release non-stick steel delivers great detail. 12 cavities, each approximately 2¾ x 2¼ x ½ in. deep.

Christmas Holiday Time Reusable Wall Decoration Stickers - Santa and Reindeer SleighGo and immerse yourself in a fun ambiance with these stickers! These removable, repositionable, and reusable stickers are the perfect and convenient way to adorn and decorate any space. Easy to peel off and to stick on walls, doors, windows, tables, refrigerators, and more! When you want to reposition your friends peel them off with ease without peeling off paint/wallpaper and without leaving behind any residue. Perfect for nurseries, homes, stores, dorms, and anywhere else! It'll liven up any room and give it a new vibrant life! Senyx is an authorized online distributor for HYUNDAE sheet in the US; Genuine wall stickers from Senyx include official Hyundae Sheet logo.

ChristmasMichael Bublé has a special holiday gift for his naughty and nice fans. The multi Grammy Award winning Canadian presents Christmas. Commented Bublé, "Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year for me and my family so naturally it's been a dream of mine to make the "ultimate" Christmas record."

Christmas, produced by David Foster, Bob Rock and Humberto Gatica, was recorded primarily at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood and The Warehouse Studios in Vancouver. The album includes guest performances by Shania Twain on "White Christmas" and The Puppini Sisters on "Jingle Bells." Bublé also put his unique take on such classics as "Silent Night," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." In addition, a Bublé original "Cold December Night" will be included on Christmas.