For more than a century, the Guardian Angel, painted by H. Zabateri (c.1918), offered comfort to millions of Christians around the world. The original image was produced as a postcard in color by Lindberg Press. Hundreds of artists throughout the years have created their own versions of the guardian angel, but its story has been silent for decades. It’s too dear to lose, so I decided to paint my own version.
The angel, I imagined, would be in motion, actively protecting the children before they are aware they need her. I envisioned placing the angel under the bridge, but what could balance an empty sky?
A dove. The Spirit. The glow from the spirit could shine over the entire painting.
As I sketched different options, I realized that if I added a fourth element (to the spirit, children, and angel), I could create a circle; a powerful shape that has no end. A rugged cross, shaped from a fence post, was perfect.
The angel in my design raises a bouquet of white heather (the flower of protection) to the children. Her other hand directs us to the cross while filling the gap in the bridge. Her wings protect both sides of the bridge and the waters beneath the angel are calm.
This was the first painting I completed in my new studio on a mountaintop in the Appalachian Mountains. In researching this original painting from 1918, I was amazed to discover that the rushing waters and forest of the Appalachians was the inspiration for this German painter.
Today, more than a century later, the image of the guardian angel demonstrating God’s perfect love and timing, is alive again.
Reproduced from the artists original artwork of pastel on paper.
