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Angel of the Last Judgment

An angel participating in images of the Last Judgment, commonly blowing trumpets, carrying instruments, separating souls, or attending Christ as Judge.

Short Definition

An angel represented in the eschatological drama of the Last Judgment.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Language Origin

Latin / French / English

Pronunciation

AYN-jəl of thə LAST JUJ-ment

An Angel of the Last Judgment participates in the final judgment imagery surrounding Christ as Judge. Angels may sound trumpets, display the cross or Passion instruments, gather the elect, or assist in the separation of souls.

Etymology

Judgment from Latin judicium through Old French.

Sculptor Notes

Large Judgment programs depend on zoning. Angels can bridge the celestial and terrestrial registers, but their direction of flight and gesture must clarify rather than confuse the movement of saved and damned figures.

References

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436794; https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/463414