A Group of Angels in Glory

Italian 17th Century, after Guido Reni, after Luca Cambiaso

National Gallery of Art

This drawing depicts winged cherubs ascending through clouds. The image shows several cherubs with child-like bodies and feathered wings flying upwards. They are arranged in a dynamic composition suggesting movement and ascent. The cherubs are depicted without clothing and with curly hair, surrounded by voluminous clouds in the background. The use of line work and shading gives the figures and clouds a sense of volume and realism.