Two seated angels, facing left, reading from a song book, from The Angels' Concert (1583)
Original title: Two seated angels, facing left, reading from a song book, from The Angels' Concert
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many angel scenes of its time, this print focuses entirely on singing together: two seated angels are shown reading from a songbook. Cherubino Alberti engraved the motif in copper in 1583; it comes from the series 'Das Engelkonzert' and measures 19 × 12.2 cm.
Description
The two angels have settled on a pedestal, their bodies facing the viewer while their heads turn to the left. The left one leans slightly forward, the right stays upright; both hold a music book. Their muscular bodies are drawn with precision, with winged hind legs and short, wavy hair. While a garment falling over the shoulder surrounds the left angel, only a simple cloth covers the right. A fragment of a door or frame appears in the background; beneath the image are a monogram and the inscription 'GIOVANNI DE CARAVAGIO IN'.
Context
Cherubino Alberti (1553–1615), an Italian engraver and painter of the late Renaissance, is known for his reproductive engravings after works by major masters. This print was made in 1583 in Rome, where Alberti worked under Mannerist influence. The series 'Das Engelkonzert' counts among his earlier works and shows how precisely he translated musical and heavenly themes.
Impact
Precise lines and careful modeling give the angels physical presence. The calm, concentrated posture of the figures creates a devotional mood that draws the viewer into the musical event.
Technique
Copper engraving as a technique relies on incising the drawing with a burin into a copper plate. This allows fine, exact lines and a high level of detail, which stands out in the muscular bodies and the folds of the garments. Printing was done in black and white on paper.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)