Angels
Author: Unknown
Date: 16th century
Material: Polychromed wood
Dimensions (cm): MAS E 117 – H 71 x W 33,5 x D 19; MAS E 118 – H 72 x W 33,5 x D 19
Provenance: Guimarães, Casa da Aveleira
Inventory No.: MAS E 117 and MAS E 118
Two images angels, with long hair, wearing a long tunic with longitudinal symmetric folds fastened with a string in the waist and a band crossing the chest. Part of the arms and both their hands are missing. In spite of the inaccuracy of the proportions and the dependency of the anatomy on the drapery, the two angels coming from the chapel of the Casa da Aveleira denote the Spanish and Flemish influence that dominated the sculptors from the Manueline period. The angels are an iconographic theme of great success in the reign of Dom Manuel, mainly on account of the popularity of the Guardian Angel.
These sculptures come, together with four others, a Virgin (MAS E 116), a Saint Pope (MAS E 114), a Saint Bishop (MAS E 115) and a Saint Paul (MAS E 113)] from the chapel of the Casa da Aveleira. Given the similitude of dimensions, they might have been created for the same Renaissance altarpiece and, in spite of the damage caused by the wood worm they still allow a glimpse of a great quality of execution.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]