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Ro Z

9 Years Ago

Question About Michelangelo's The Fall Of Man

Hi
I have a question about the fall of man and the expulsion from the garden of eden ( http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/images/Michelangelo-Forbidden_frui.jpg )
What's the name of the angel holding a sword against Adam's neck? Is it a specific angel or is it an anonymous one?

Thanks

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Robert Kernodle

9 Years Ago

Robert Kernodle Art Prints

Seriously, though, I think the original artist was taking some liberties with his interpretation of specific verses of the book from which he gained insight to create this portion of his work.

My satire that incorporates the work, of course, takes even greater liberties.

 

Heather Applegate

9 Years Ago

Googling didn't really get me anywhere so I'd suggest picking up a bible or something and reading where they get cast out... probably named in the storyline somewhere.

 

Heather Applegate

9 Years Ago

Maybe its suppose to be one of the archangels - "Uriel is often identified as a cherub and angel of repentance. He "stands at the Gate of Eden with a fiery sword""
Wiki

 

Robert Kernodle

9 Years Ago

The visual is an interpretation, NOT a literal translation depicting any particular angel. Wikipedia refers to it as an "angel of justice". Another analysis simply points out the lack of any ability to make an exact identification related to the scriptures upon which the scene is based.

 

Ro Z

9 Years Ago

I've checked the explusion from the garden of eden part in the bible and it's said that Adam was expulsed from the garden and that the angels were placed in the garden to guard the tree of wisdom. checking Italian sources didn't bring any answer so far either, so I guess it's just an "angel of justice". Thanks for your answers.

 

Lutz Baar

9 Years Ago

Hmm, the sword has no grip, no handle... The angles action is the artists own interpretion of making Adam and Eve leave the garden of Eden.

 

Robert Kernodle

9 Years Ago

It is Michelangelo's artistic license in interpreting certain verses. The angels mentioned have NO proper names, as I understand it. They were mentioned in general terms, so this figure is a generality, NOT a specific named angel. "Angel of justice" is Wikipedia's own general term too. The image symbolizes expulsion by an angelic extension of the "higher hand", so to speak. I think the relevant verses also refer to a flaming sword, and Michelangelo's pictured sword with this figure is NOT flaming - again, he uses his own artistic license, to include what he judges as the important qualities of the verbal reference.

 

Suzanne Powers

9 Years Ago

The angel mentioned in Genesis 4:24 (Amplified Bible) is a "Cherubim" which is the second highest rank of an angelic being:

"So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden (apparently this was the only entrance) the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way (the cherubim and the sword he was holding turned in all directions)."

It states that God "drove" Adam and Eve out of the garden. This could mean that one of his angles(s) (agents) forced them out as Michael Angelo apparently interpreted the scene. It sounds as though Adam had become more like man in turning away from God and become stubborn and rebellious not wanting to do as he was told so had to be forced (driven) out of the Garden.


Many of my theology books are packed away here is what appears to be a fairly accurate biblical description on E-How.com of a Cherubim and Seraphim:

"In the book of Ezekiel, the bible depicts Cherubim as powerful beings with an appearance bright as fire. Each had four faces representing man, lion, ox and eagle, and four wings. One pair of wings covered their body and one pair extended upward. This appearance is quite different from the image most often associated with cherubs today: that of a chubby, winged infant or toddler.

The word for Seraphim also refers to fire, meaning burning ones or flying serpents. Their appearance is described as similar to cherubim, but with six wings. One set of wings cover their face, one set covers their feet, while they use their final set of wings to fly.


Duties

Seraphim only appear in the biblical account of the prophet Isaiah's vision in which he described them as standing over God's throne and praising him by repeatedly crying out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. His glory is the fullness of the whole earth." (Isaiah 6:3)

In addition to worshiping around the throne of God, tradition holds that cherubim guard the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. Their motion is described as fast as lightning and the rustling of their wings as loud as a great waterfall.


Significance

Seraphim and cherubim both represent creatures that attend to God himself and guard holy places. The bible describes them as almost frightening in their power.

Gold statues of cherubim adorned the Ark of the Covenant, which was considered the dwelling place of God while the Israelites were in exodus in the desert. When the Jewish Temple was built in Jerusalem, the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the holiest part of the temple, which also featured statues of cherubim."


 

David Bridburg

9 Years Ago

Sorry I am in the wrong place. i will see myself out.

Dave

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

I like Robert's update. Although we have no evil serpent to blame things on. Just a mirror.

 

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