An Adoring Angel
- Artist: Moretto da Brescia
- Date: about 1540
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "An Adoring Angel" painted in the Italian north by Moretto da Brescia around 1540. As you can see, it's a beautiful piece with intricate details and delicate features. The angel here has a serene expression, typical of many works from this period.
You might notice that the painting appears to be part of something larger. In fact, altarpieces like these often had shutters with paintings on both sides - inside and out. This angel would have been displayed on the inside of one of those shutters, and it's likely that a central image, now missing, was placed in front of this pair.
The Latin inscription at the base of the angel reads 'AVE REGINA', which translates to 'Hail Queen'. When paired with the other angel's inscription, we get the phrase 'Ave Regina Coelorum', or 'Hail Queen of Heaven'. This suggests that the central image was probably a depiction of the Virgin Mary being crowned in heaven.
The technique used here is characteristic of Moretto's style. Look closely at the shimmering effect on the angel's robe - it's achieved by painting tiny lines with flickering touches of yellow, which would have caught the light beautifully when displayed. The quality of this work indicates that it was meant for a prominent place within the church.
See it in person
An Adoring Angel hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
