Head of an Angel
- Artist: Gherardo di Giovanni
- Date: (15th century) 1400 - 1499
- Medium: tempera and goldleaf on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Head of an Angel” by Gherardo di Giovanni. Painted sometime in the 15th century, it’s a tempera work on a wooden panel that’s been richly gilded with goldleaf. You’ll notice how the gold doesn’t just cover the background—it’s applied in a way that makes the angel’s halo glow almost like a second layer of light. The face is rendered with a calm, almost ethereal expression that was typical of the period’s religious art, aiming to convey divine serenity.
Gherardo’s brushwork is precise yet soft; the contours of the eyes and mouth are gently defined, giving the figure a subtle, human warmth. The use of tempera allows for bright, flat colors that contrast sharply with the deep gold, creating a striking visual tension. You can see how the light falls across the face, suggesting a slight three‑dimensionality that tempers the flatness of the panel.
Overall, this piece is a fine example of the transition from medieval iconography to the more naturalistic style that would dominate the Italian Renaissance. It showcases how artists of the time combined traditional religious themes with emerging techniques to create a work that feels both reverent and approachable.
See it in person
Head of an Angel hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
