A Concert of Angels: study for a wall decoration

Matteo Bonechi 1669 - 1756

Summary

In this study for a wall painting, two ornate, curved arches frame a concert of angels, who sing to the accompaniment of an instrument of the lute family. In the foreground, the angel on the left of the central pillar plays a reeded woodwind instrument, possibly a shawm or early oboe, while the angel on the right blows a trumpet. The idea that the human voice was the instrument par excellence for praising God persisted from the Renaissance and wind instruments were believed to be able to imitate the human voice best. Ornamental putti - innocent souls with the appearance of winged infants - add a charming and harmonious effect. The gold-painted architecture and pink, red and blue colour scheme enhance the impression of a celestial scene: blue and red were symbolic of heaven and the Holy Spirit. A gold-framed rectangle painted in the lower left corner was probably intended for an inscription. Bonechi was a fresco painter who worked mainly in and around Florence. His late work responded to the growing vogue in 18th century Florentine art for incorporating elements of the French Rococo.