Artwork
Floating Angels with Image of the Virgin
Floating Angels with Image of the Virgin is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Pieter van Avont. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1633, this oil painting by the Flemish artist Pieter van Avont presents a group of cherubic figures hovering above a landscape.
Created in 1633, this oil painting by the Flemish artist Pieter van Avont presents a group of cherubic figures hovering above a landscape. The central focus is an image of the Virgin Mary, encircled by the playful putti. The composition reflects the dynamic visual language of early‑17th‑century Flemish Baroque, and the work is currently part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst.
Subject & Meaning
The scene combines celestial and earthly realms: the Virgin’s image serves as a devotional focal point, while the surrounding angels convey a sense of heavenly celebration. The inclusion of nude children, a motif frequent in van Avont’s oeuvre, underscores themes of innocence and divine grace, aligning with Counter‑Reformation ideals that emphasized the Virgin’s intercessory role.
Technique & Style
Van Avont employs vigorous brushwork and a lively arrangement of figures to generate movement typical of Baroque art. Contrasting light and shadow model the forms, giving depth to the floating figures and the rolling hills behind them. The palette balances warm flesh tones with cooler atmospheric hues, enhancing the sense of three‑dimensional space.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed during van Avont’s productive period in Antwerp, when he often collaborated with leading local painters. After changing hands among private collectors, it entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the early 20th century, where it has remained on public display.
Context
In the early 1600s, Flemish artists frequently produced small‑scale cabinet works for private devotion, combining religious iconography with decorative elements. Van Avont’s focus on putti reflects a broader fascination with classical motifs, while the central Marian image aligns with the Catholic Church’s emphasis on the Virgin as a protective figure during the Counter‑Reformation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter van Avont or Peter van Avont, (1600–1652) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and printmaker known for his religious scenes and cabinet paintings often including nude children and putti.
