What’s up with all the female angels?
Have you ever noticed that many — perhaps most — angels in artwork are female? Why is this?
In the Bible, only three angels are mentioned by name and they are all masculine names: Raphael (Tobit 3:17, Tobit 5:4 and elsewhere in that book), Gabriel (Daniel 8:6, Daniel 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26) and Michael (Jude 9, Revelation 12:7). Even angels who aren’t named are referred to using the male pronoun “he,” such as in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:1ff. and in the account of the empty tomb in Matthew 28:2-4.
So I have to wonder what inspired artists through the ages to paint or sculpt female angels so frequently, almost to the exclusion of male angels.
Anyone with answers or speculations out there, let me know your thoughts.
2 comments so far
Perhaps this is some kind of vast “white-wing” conspiracy!
Good one Strepsiades!
This is a good observation. My take is that this picture is showing a guardian angel watching over the children. Who is known to nurture (not to be sexist) over the centuries – mothers -women.
Also, many artists are trying to project beauty in a subject and not to be bold – but we are pretty beautiful. Kidding. Artists for a long time have associated beauty with the female form.
However, as a woman when I think of angels I always think of Saint Michael. I want a strong angel that has your back when you need him!