Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by
Since the beginning of early Christian art, devil painting and paintings of angels have been part of the art scene. In addition, Lucifer and angels have appeared in paintings and have been popular subjects for Byzantine and European paintings and sculpture over centuries.
Especially during the Italian Renaissance, paintings of demons, hell, and angels became popular again. And the trend has continued into the Romantic Period. Even many modern artists use the themes from time to time. Generally, the angels are painted in groups and are given wings.
If you’ve never considered buying a painting with demons or angels as a theme, have a look at the few paintings we discuss in this article, and perhaps you are enticed to get a reproduction of one of the paintings or a similar painting.
Table of Contents
Satan Exulting over Eve – William Blake
In this well-known Lucifer painting “Satan Exulting over Ever” by William Blake, Satan hovers in glory over Eve. The painting is placed in the Garden of Eden, and The serpent entwines eve. Blake’s paintings and drawings of the Devil reflect his visions.
William Blake lived from 1757 to 1827 and was an English printmaker, poet, and painter. Although he was unrecognized during his lifetime, he is now considered an important figure in the history of the visual arts of the Romantic Age. According to some modern art critics, his paintings have made him the greatest artist Britain has ever produced.
Saint Augustine and the Devil – Michael Pacher
The German artist, Michael Pacher, lived during the 15th century. He tried to incorporate Renaissance art styles and practices into his paintings. He is known for his works that feature various religious figures and devils and demons.
The painting “Saint Augustine and the Devil” was completed in 1475. The painting features St Augustine staring down Satan as the evil leader of hell. The Devil’s demons hold up a book that Satan wants St Augustine to write his name in.
St. Michael Overwhelming the Demon – Raphael
This Raphael painting “St. Michael Overwhelming the Demon” is also known as “St. Michael Vanquishing Satan” and “St Michael and the Devil.”
It is one of the most famous christian paintings showing demons from the Renaissance era. Raphael completed it in 1518 after being asked by Pope Leo X to revisit the story of St. Michael defeating a monster. The painting shows Satan thrown down and on the ground with a triumphant St. Michael on top of the demon.
The Demon Downcast – Mikhail Vrubel
The Mikhail Vrubel painting “The Demon Downcast” is also known as “Demon Fallen.” This painting forms part of Mikhail Vrubel’s famous series on demons. It is considered one of the most known more modern demon paintings in Europe. It was painted in 1901/1902.
The demon is seen in the painting as being in severe grief as he is centered in the painting’s foreground. Vrubel first painted the Devil and then decided what he would paint in the background.
The Sistine Madonna – Raphael
The well-known “Saint Madonna” by Raphael is also known as “The Sistine Madonna.” He completed the work somewhere between 1513 and 1516.
The two young angels in this painting are seen by many as the most famous angels in painting history. This is because they are depicted as of the same age as Jesus. They have tousled hair and feathered wings. If you look closely, you will see that Raphael has painted the faces of youthful angels in the background. These two angels have become the symbol of childhood innocence in angels.
Crying Angels – Giotto
“Crying Angels” by Giotto is also known as “Lamentation” and “The Mourning of Christ.” This fresco from the early 1300s is considered one of the very first Renaissance artworks.
Enrico Scrovegni commissioned it, and the crying angels depict the authentic expression of pain at the death of Christ. Although angels are seen as having a divine nature, one uses his dress to wipe tears from his eyes in this painting.
St. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy – Caravaggio
Caravaggio’s 1595-painting “St. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy” portrays Saint Francis of Assisi cradled in the arms of an angel just after he had received wounds in his hands and feet as representative of Christ’s crucifixion.
The painting features highly realistic depictions of Saint Francis, and the angel in the painting is described as a six-winged seraph. This is a description that is taken from the Old Testament writings of angels.
Conclusion
Paintings of Lucifer and other demons from hell and the painting of angels have been produced for centuries and are still used as themes for artworks. Although the Renaissance artists actively used these two themes in their works, it has continued through all the different art periods.
Many demons or angel related paintings are famous artworks. If you want to acquire reproductions of any of the paintings mentioned in this article, or are intrigued by these two themes and look for a more excellent choice of paintings, 1st-art-gallery is the place to browse.
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