A detailed Flemish engraving from the late sixteenth century, depicting a celestial choir of angels surrounding a divine light above the earth.

This engraving by Adriaen Collaert depicts a celestial scene centred on the divine presence. A radiant sunburst containing Hebrew characters occupies the upper middle section, acting as the source of light for the entire composition. Below this, a group of winged angels plays various musical instruments, including lutes, flutes, and horns. The figures are arranged in a circular formation, creating a sense of movement and harmony. Smaller cherubs fill the surrounding space, some dancing and others floating amidst the clouds.

At the base of the print, the globe is visible, representing the earth. The contrast between the ethereal, light-filled heavens and the solid, dark sphere of the world creates a clear division between the divine and the terrestrial. The artist employs fine, precise lines to define the drapery of the angels' robes and the delicate features of their faces. The composition is highly structured, using the circular arrangement of figures to draw the eye towards the central light source.

Adriaen Collaert was a member of a prominent family of engravers in Antwerp. His work often involved translating the designs of other artists into print, in this instance after a design by Jan van der Straet, also known as Stradanus. The inclusion of Latin text at the bottom provides a theological context for the imagery, describing the creation of the world and the celestial music that accompanied it. The technical skill required to produce such a detailed engraving, with its complex shading and varied textures, demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship common in late sixteenth-century Flemish printmaking. This piece offers a view into the iconographic traditions of the period, where celestial hierarchies were frequently visualised through music and light.