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About This Work
Two youthful angels with halos are shown kneeling in a rocky landscape. The angel on the left is seen in profile with intricate, curled hair, while the other looks toward the viewer and holds a white cloth. This scene is a detail from a larger painting depicting the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
The depiction of angels in 15th-century Florence was deeply influenced by the Neoplatonic revival and the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius on the celestial hierarchy. This specific figure marks the beginning of Leonardo's career, showcasing his early application of naturalistic observation to divine subjects.
Connected Texts
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
Renaissance angelology was largely based on the celestial hierarchies established in his writings.