Angelophany
An appearance or manifestation of an angel to a human being, a recurring narrative structure in biblical and Christian sacred art.
Catholic Art
Putto
A small nude child figure derived from classical Eros or genius imagery and revived in Renaissance art; putti may function as secular spirits, decorative figures, or Christianized attendants but are not literally the biblical order of Cherubim.
Saint Michael the Archangel
The warrior archangel and protector figure commonly shown armored, defeating a dragon or Satan, carrying a sword or spear, and sometimes weighing souls.
Spiritello
A Renaissance Italian term for a lively little spirit figure, especially associated with Donatello's revival of animated putti in fifteenth-century sculpture.
Gabriel the Archangel
The archangel of annunciation and divine message, most famously represented announcing the Incarnation to the Virgin Mary.
Winged Cherub Head
A decorative head, usually infantile, emerging from or flanked by wings; common in Renaissance and Baroque Catholic ornament but distinct from the biblical Cherubim.
Raphael the Archangel
The archangel who accompanies Tobias in the Book of Tobit, traditionally associated with healing, travel, protection, and the fish carried by Tobias.
Banderole Angel
An angel carrying a scroll or ribbon-like band bearing an inscription, prophecy, salutation, or sacred text.
Stations of the Cross
A devotional cycle, traditionally of fourteen scenes, tracing Christ's journey from condemnation to burial; often realized as reliefs or sculptural groups along church walls.
Virgin of Mercy
A Marian type in which the Virgin spreads her mantle protectively over kneeling groups of the faithful, clergy, confraternities, or patrons.