Cai Guo-Qiang

This gorgeous collection of 19th- and 20th-century art offers endearingly beautiful depictions of angels.
For centuries, artists have incorporated angels into their works. In the Symbolist movement of the late 19th century, these heavenly figures embodied a defiant stance against the materialism and scientific rationalism of that era. The Pre-Raphaelites and Art Nouveau artists especially embraced the
angel as a romantic symbol of beauty, grace, and imagination. The masterpieces included in this volume feature angels in varying styles from an international spectrum of artists and movements. Starting with pre-Symbolist artists such as Delacroix, Blake, and Turner and featuring works by Gauguin, Burne-Jones, Kandinsky, and Chagall, the book traces the evolution of angelic depictions through the early 20th century. Evocative texts and poems celebrating angels in all forms are scattered throughout this elegant and inspirational collection.