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About This Work
An angel with colorful wings and patterned robes stands upon a cloud in a gesture of adoration. To the right sits a bearded saint in a white monastic habit clutching a book, while on the left, the hand of Christ is visible, displaying the stigmata. The image captures the transition from Raphael's early Umbrian style to the balanced compositions of his Roman period.
The San Severo fresco illustrates the Renaissance synthesis of Christian theology and Neoplatonic cosmology, organizing the divine realm into distinct celestial and earthly hierarchies. This structure reflects the influence of the Dionysian celestial hierarchy, which was a cornerstone of Western esoteric and religious thought during the 16th century.