Angel with a Sword (1479 - 1480)

Dated 1479 - 1480, "Angel with a Sword" is an artwork by Hans Memling. Historical background, 1479 - 1480: Printing with movable type spread across Europe in these decades, and woodcuts and engravings began to circulate images far more widely than hand-painted work ever could. In East Asia, the Ming dynasty in China and the Muromachi period in Japan continued their own long traditions of ink painting and calligraphy. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is portrait. Religion, a short history: Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints.

"Angel with a Sword" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

German, 1430–1494

If you like the visual language of Hans Memling, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.