Cherub

A cherub (Hebrew כרוב; plural cherubim, כרובים) is a supernatural creature mentioned several times in the Tanakh, or Old Testament, Book of Revelation and in certain media classes.

Cherubim in Christian imagery

The conception of angels derived from Biblical descriptions is difficult to present as a visual image, and furthermore composite beings are largely alien to the central Greco-Roman tradition. (Contrast archaic and exotic beings like Harpy, Typhon, Centaur Gryphon etc.) Some art historians believe Christians adopted the image of the lovely winged dawn goddess Aurora or Eos to represent angels.

Related Topics:
Harpy - Typhon - Centaur - Gryphon - Eos

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cherubim, in particular, are frequently represented as infants (Italian putti) in Christian iconography and Christian-inspired art, as can be seen in innumerable church frescoes and in the work Renaissance painters such as Raphael. The image was often reduced to the head and wings http://www.misericordiamss.it/chiesa/dipinti.htm

Related Topics:
Italian - Putti - Fresco - Renaissance - Raphael

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

http://www.insecula.com/oeuvre/photo_ME0000033435.html http://expositions.bnf.fr/renais/grand/006.htm.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Christian novelist Madeline L'Engle depicted a cherubim (who referred to itself as such, in the singular) as one of the principal characters in her children's fantasy novel A Wind in the Door. Her verbal description of the creature corresponds, not very precisely, to that given by Ezekiel.

Related Topics:
Christian - Madeline L'Engle - A Wind in the Door

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~