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Original study of Auriel

Graphite | gouache tempera, watercolour, acrylic

 

Archival bristol paper

bright white

A4 [21 x 29 cm]

250 grs.

 

An interpretation from the image

of archangel cherub Auriel.

 

His name means: "God is my light", in latin "Deus illuminatio mea".

 

As described in the work of Dionysius the Areopagite:

 

Auriel is a Cherub, with 4 wings, 4 heads [a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle].

He holds the sun as he is in charge of taking care of the order of cosmos, constellations and celestial bodies.

 

As an added symbolism I draw the constellation of Taurus [for the ox], Aquila [for the eagle] and Leo [for the lion]. Each one of the heads represent an Evangelist: Matthew [Angel], Mark [Lion], Luke [Ox], John [Eagle]. This 4 headed being is known as the Tetramorphos in medieval iconography.

 

Cherubim denotes abundance of knowledge or an outflowing of wisdom.

 

The name Cherubim denotes their power of knowing and beholding God, their receptivity to the highest Gift of Light, their contemplation of the Beauty of the Godhead in Its First Manifestation.

 

The form of a lion must be regarded as typifying their power of sovereignty, strength and indomitableness, and the ardent striving upward with all their powers to that most hidden, ineffable, mysterious Divine Unity and the covering of the intellectual foot-prints, and the mystically modest concealment of the way leading to divine union through the Divine Illumination.

 

The figure of the ox signifies strength and vigour and the opening of the intellectual furrows to the reception of fertilizing showers; and the horns signify the guarding and unconquerable power.

 

The form of the eagle signifies royalty and high soaring and swiftness of flight and the eager seizing of that food which renews their strength, discretion, and ease of movement and skill, with strong intensity of vision which has the power to gaze unhindered, directly and unflinchingly upon the full and brilliant splendour of the brightness of the Divine Sun.

 

 

Cherub Auriel

€ 80,00Price

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    © 2024 by Elena Sanpietrini • The Netherlands • ilumina studio kvk 70436525 • All rights reserved.

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