The Annunciation

The more materialistic science becomes, the more angels shall I paint: Their wings are my protest in favor of the immortality of the soul. –Edward Burne-Jones

The Annunciation, a watercolor by Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

The Inspiration of Saint Matthew

As a commission for Matteu Cointrel, a French cardinal, Caravaggio painted this piece in 1602 as part of the decoration of a chapel in San Luigi dei Francesi, the French church in Rome.

An angel can illumine the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision, and by bringing within his reach some truth which the Angel himself contemplates. — St. Thomas Aquinas

The Fifth Trumpet

This illustration is from Liber Floridus, literally "Book of Flowers". The Liber is an encyclopedia compiled between 1090 and 1120 by Lambert of Saint-Omer, a French Benedictine monk. It was a summary of knowledge which covered Biblical subjects as well as natural history, astronomy, geography, and more.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

The Poet's Dream

When he was around 20 years old, Paul Cezanne (1839–1906) painted his vision of an angel visiting a poet.

...for God will deigne
To visit oft the dwellings of just Men
Delighted, and with frequent intercourse
Thither will send his winged Messengers
On errands of supernal Grace. --John Milton (1608-1674)

Saint Michael and the dragon

This painting c. 1504 by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, popularly known as Raphael, (1483-1520) is called the "Little Saint Michael", to distinguish it from the larger painting of Michael, which was done about ten years later. It is approximately 10x12 inches.

Saint Michael, filled with the wisdom of God,
pray for us;
Saint Michael, our sure aid,
pray for us;
Saint Michael, our help in all adversities,
pray for us.

Singing Angel

Luigi Mussini (1813-1888) painted this image of a singing angel c. 1841.

Of all earthly music that which reaches fatherest into heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart. --Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Angel Assisting Saint Cecilia

This painting, attributed to Carlo Saraceni (Venetian, 1579-1620), shows an angel assisting Saint Cecilia, who is the patron saint of musicians. Cecilia is thought to have been a noble lady of Rome in the second or third century. She was a martyr. Read about her.

The angels are so enamored of the language that is spoken in heaven, that they will not distort their lips with the hissing and unmusical dialects of men, but speak their own, whether there be any who understand it or not. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saint Michael

This image of the Archangel Michael is part of a painting by Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1400-1464).

At the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of the Seraphim, may it please God to make us worthy to receive into our hearts the fire of his perfect charity. Amen.

An angel shows the way

This painting by Noël Hallé (1711-1781) illustrates an angel's liberation of Peter after he had been imprisoned (Acts 12:3-19).

Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me... Acts 12:11

The Ramparts of God's House

This is a section of the painting, The Ramparts of God's House, by John Melhuish Strudwick (1849-1937). When Strudwick died, an obituary in the Times of London described him as "a beautiful old man... a charming personality, exceedingly kind to young artists".

Faith

This is a detail from the painting, Faith and Two Angels, by Raphael (1483-1520).

I am the Angel of the Sun,
Whose flaiming wheels began to run
When God's almighty breath
Said to the Darkness and the Night,
Let there be light! and there was light.
I bring the gift of Faith. --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Saint Michael

This 17th century icon shows the Archangel Michael.

Saint Michael,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.