Description

In art angels have wings. Through the ages, artists have adjoined bird wings so the public can recognize certain human figures as angels. Different bird wings have been attached to angels in fine arts, although swan wings seem to be favourite. Archangel Michael has been portrayed with strong, large wings, consisting of four colours; red, green, blue, and yellow. Cherubs are often embellished with cygnet wings.

The size of wings in fine art paintings is irrelevant; there is no need for a perfect ratio of wing size to body weight because angels are regarded as weightless. They also do not seem to use their wings, like birds do. Having no need to follow the laws of aerodynamics or being truthful to ornithological anatomy, angels’ wings allow artists endless freedom.

For reasons unbeknownst to me some angels are well known others are (almost) forgotten. Most of us know Michael and Gabriel because they are recognized as archangels in Judaism, Islam, and by most Christians but there are many more. Should you like to dive into the realms of angels, I highly recommend A Dictionary of Angels by Gustav Davidson.

‘Angels transcend every religion’, says Saint Thomas Aquinas, ‘…every philosophy and every creed. In fact, angels have no religion as we know it. Their existence preceded every religious system that has ever existed on Earth’.  

Which angels do you know? And what do their wings look like? During the months I have worked on my Angels’ Wings Project, I haven’t felt the need to restrict myself to angels recognized by world religions. I found angels close to home; a woodland angel, a sea angel, and a breastfeeding and mothers’ hand angel. It is my hope that you will enjoy my angels’ wings with humor, with fond feelings, and use them as prayer cards or as well-wishing messages for your beloved ones.

There are nine angel’s wings: Archangel Michael’s wing, a Midwinter angel wing, a Breastfeeding angel wing (helping the baby through the first weaning off nights), a Woodland angel wing, a Sea Shore angel wing, a Mother’s Hands angel wing (when we need or remind ourselves of our mother’s caring and healing hands), a Butterfly angel wing, a Tulip or Floral angel wing, and last, a Seraphim angel wing with holy eyes.

On the backside there are texts but also some space for a well wish. The cards have a smaller size than a postcard: (size 7,5 x 10,5 cm which is about 3 x 4 inches).

Nine professionally printed Angel Wing Cards to be used as well wishing, prayer or bookmark cards.

More about my angel’s wings art project, detailed photos and texts are here.

Free shipping.

Paula Kuitenbrouwer