Artwork
Ange à l'encensoir vêtu d'une robe pourpre

Ange à l'encensoir vêtu d'une robe pourpre is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Bernhard Strigel. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
About this work
Overview
Ange à l'encensoir vêtu d'une robe pourpre is a 1520 oil painting by Bernhard Strigel, a prominent figure of the Swabian school within the Northern Renaissance. The work exemplifies Strigel's characteristic blend of religious themes and meticulous detail.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts an angel seated in contemplative pose, clad in a purple robe, with large white wings edged in red. Holding a golden object (likely an incense burner, or encensoir) and adopting a introspective demeanor, the angel embodies serenity and quiet reflection. The blurred face and downward gaze enhance the sense of calm contemplation.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Strigel's Northern Renaissance style, marked by vivid coloration and attention to detail. Warm hues, particularly in the angel's robe and the golden object, contrast against a dark green, landscaped background, contributing to the overall serene atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1520, the painting is associated with Strigel's period of favor with Emperor Maximilian I. It is currently part of the Louvre Abu Dhabi's collection, highlighting its recognized artistic and historical value.
Context
As a religious work by Strigel, Ange à l'encensoir reflects the Northern Renaissance's emphasis on detailed, emotionally nuanced religious art. Its style and theme place it within the broader context of early 16th-century European religious painting.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this piece on the broader art historical canon are not prominently documented, it remains a characteristic example of Strigel's output and the Swabian school's contribution to the Northern Renaissance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bernhard Strigel (c. 1461 – 4 May 1528) was a German portrait and historical painter of the Swabian school, the most important of a family of artists established at Memmingen. He was born at Memmingen and was probably a…

![Margarethe Vöhlin [reverse], by Bernhard Strigel](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/bernhard-strigel--margarethe-vohlin-reverse--01f4c80425fbb8fe-w320.webp)

![Margarethe Vöhlin [obverse], by Bernhard Strigel](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/bernhard-strigel--margarethe-vohlin-obverse--435992056faaebf8-w320.webp)
![Hans Roth [obverse], by Bernhard Strigel](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/bernhard-strigel--hans-roth-obverse--9904e8cf2692db0d-w320.webp)
![Hans Roth [reverse], by Bernhard Strigel](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/bernhard-strigel--hans-roth-reverse--9e98efc46bbdf23c-w320.webp)













