Flamend Polychrome Angel (1700-1725)

Impressive winged wooden Baroque angel from the first quarter of the 18th century.

This magnificent sculpture was created in the early 18th century, when the Southern Netherlands were finally ceded to Austria after a decade of bloody wars. Sculpture experienced an unprecedented boom in the 17th and 18th centuries. Production is particularly impressive in the Catholic countries of Europe. Flanders led the way, with Antwerp and Mechelen as the most important centers. Baroque is characterized by drama, movement, and emotion, often in combination with architecture and other art forms. Important elements are the use of flowing draperies and often dramatic movements, creating a sense of dynamism and agitation. Baroque sculpture was primarily a powerful propaganda weapon in the hands of the Catholic Church and absolutist monarchs. Therefore, this style aimed to arouse strong emotional involvement in the viewer.