Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel
Description:
"Fallen Angel," painted by Alexandre Cabanel in 1847, is one of the most famous works of the French academic painter known for his refined and dramatic portrayals of mythological and religious subjects. Alexandre Cabanel, born in 1823 in Montpellier, France, was a leading figure in the academic art world of the 19th century. He was celebrated for his technical precision, mastery of the human form, and his ability to convey emotion and narrative through his compositions. "Fallen Angel" was created while Cabanel was still a young student at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and it quickly garnered attention for its striking depiction of a powerful, emotional moment from Christian mythology.
In "Fallen Angel," Cabanel portrays the figure of Lucifer, the archangel cast out from Heaven, sitting in a state of despair and defiance. The angel is depicted with a muscular, idealized human form, his wings folded behind him, and a single tear glistening on his cheek. His gaze is intense, filled with both anguish and rebellion, as he looks upwards, reflecting a mixture of pride, sorrow, and rage. Cabanel’s use of chiaroscuro enhances the dramatic effect, highlighting the tension in the angel's body and the emotion in his expression. The attention to anatomical detail and the rich color palette exemplify Cabanel's technical skill and his ability to capture the psychological complexity of his subjects. "Fallen Angel" remains one of Cabanel’s most celebrated works, embodying the Romantic fascination with themes of divine conflict, beauty, and tragic emotion.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Paris, France, 1847.
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Medium: Oil on canvas.
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Full Artwork Name: Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel.
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Artwork Style: Academic art; Romanticism.
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Subject/Topic: A depiction of Lucifer, the fallen archangel, capturing the moment of his anguish, defiance, and tragic beauty after being cast out of Heaven.