Well, the first one reminds me of Hansel & Gretel meet the Angel. But if that’s so, she didn’t do such a good job of protecting them. They had to save themselves. I think my grandma had this pic, too.
You’re right, these pics are creepy.
Just as an aside, we were excommunicated yesterday. I thought that only happened for egregious behavior, but i guess i was wrong.
http://4katekattoo.blogspot.com/

Yeah, the first pic was hanging at my grandma’s house too, and I did spot it at few other places over the years (or something very, very similar).
I think the whole guardian angel/lost kids theme is so cheesy that it brings out the cheesiest artists out of the woodworks. The only way they could get cheesier was if the scene was carved out of cheddar.
The last one looks like she’s about to push the kids off the cliff.

I agree with Kristian. It looks like #3 is about to push them off.
Also, there’s two sides to this coin. I’m thankful for all the apparently-miraculous stories of child-protection. But what about when horrible things happen to kids? In general, I try not to dwell on those subjects. But under the (theology? ontology? metaphysics? angelology?) expressed in these paintings, someone is going to have to answer for the failure or absence of those guardian angels.
Finally, after reading the globe news editorial letter and comments regarding Texas’s castle doctrine, I’m concerned that one of these angels is mistakenly bringing a spear to a gunfight. Not sure the possibility of aerial mobility makes up for this disadvantage, particularly in the limited space available in a child’s bedroom.

The last one. i can’t count. Not #3.

And in 3… 2… 1… the original artist of one of these works will show up here.

The angels do look big and spooky, but, then again, in the Bible, angels are big…
I was wondering about something. Anybody know why artists do pics of female angels and angels with wings? If I recall, in the Bible, angels are usually big and they’re male, but, I don’t recall them being described with wings? (Maybe they do have wings in the Bible, but, it’s possible that I forgot). I do recall those cherubim and seraphim(sp?) have wings, but I don’t think those creatures are angels, though.
I don’t think that most of us humans have a special guardian angel to protect us from harm, though.

I’m amazed to hear preachers that are supposedly intelligent and educated people promote guardian angels and personal anti-salvation demons as a CERTAINTY, not just as a possibility. I know that these beings exist, but I believe there is a finite number of them and that God isn’t making more, neither does Uncle Screwtape have an unlimited number of Wormwood’s to assign at his leisure.

Oh this gave me a great laugh. Thanks

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS ARTICLE..FIRST MANKIND PAINTED AND MADE THE STATUES SO THEY ARE THE ONES TO BLAME IF THEY LOOK ‘SCARY’.
ANGELS PROTECT US AND ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS FROM GOD.
DONT YOU WATCH TOUCHED BY A ANGEL?
THE ANGELS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND some come in HUMAN..FORM..THE ONLY UGLY ANGEL IS THE DEVIL..
WHO USED TO BE A GOOD ONE BUT HE TURNED AWAY.
MARY

If you are scared of blurry backgroung , go and seek the help of a psychiatrist .No need to blame the Angels for that .
Angels are Messengers of God and they are just trying to help us .
These above pictures are just sublime and inspiring .
But as we say -Beauty lies in the eyes of the Beholder .
May the Angels and God Bless us All .
Eee Nu Rah Zay .
H.R

I have seen similar pictures of guardian angels all my life and never once considered them sinister or disturbing. To think of angels always makes me feel better about any situation. Why would anyone be afraid of a being from heaven? If you look for the good in the world, you will certainly find it in abundance … likewise if you look for evil. Look for the good!!!

ANGLES PROCTETION FROM EVIL, LOOK THE NEGATY WAY NO THE POSIVITY WAY? WE ALL NEED ANGELS IN OUR LIFE.

really? angels are a protection not scary

Thanks for your realistic view of these awful paintings, with a hint of sarcasm. (I think that was missed by the other commentors!) Protective angels from the heavens are a God-send, but everyone should have their own “image” of what that looks like. Sometimes my best friend is my “angel”…and I’ve never imagined one with wings and nightlights–or frisbees for that matter.

Oh Dear! some people take life far too seriously. I have never really studied these paintings closely but just know they are not amongst my favourites..they are quite surreal… I think we all have our own idea of what Angels should look like.Angels,fairies,spirituality. Mother Earth Connections are all fascinating and important to me . I guess the artists may have felt guided to depict their own beliefs in this way which was fashionable at the time. Lighten up folks…… I agree these paintings are definitely creepy particularly the Victorian ones. I know exactly what you are trying to say.. Thanx for bringing it to our attention in such a tongue in cheek manner… you have hit the nail on the head for me certainly I know now exactly why they are disturbing to me too.
There are of course some really beautiful paintings of Angels which I prefer to look at . I am not sure that I could depict the battle between good and evil in a way which didn’t offend some people… and I am certain I couldn’t depict my Guardian Angel in an art form. Suffice it to say I believe we all do have One! Angels are God’s messengers… how do we paint God?! Thanx for letting me comment xx

ARE YOU CRAZY? I grew up with these pictures in my room as a child and they made me feel, if anything, protected and safe while I was sleeping or whatever! Instead of looking at the darkness, try to SEE THE LIGHT!
You must have had one scarey childhood. I still pray to my Guardian Angel and thank him/her for always being there for me. Angels are not known to CARE what you look like when you get out of the shower for God’s sake. WHO ARE YOU? You’re not Catholic I’ll bet, and if you are, weren’t brought up as a very good one!

Well his title says it all! O’ Me of little faith, If you don’t have faith then you have nothing! So someone like him and i have met my share of unbelievers this kind of pictures, statuettes of saints scare them. In my home i have crosses, pictures of Jesus, saints and the virgin Mary, and my sons friends when they come to visit get scared when they come through the hall way. I ask them why? this gives me comfort having all these things that i believe in, then i fine out that they don’t pray or go to church, alright I see non believers.

@Joanne:
1. Yes, I did experience a lot of fear as a child. Much of it had to do with the potential of going to hell. And also ghosts. But mostly hell.
2. When some biblical characters encountered angels (Mary, the shepherds), the first thing the angels said to them was “Be not afraid.” So being afraid of angels is, at least, biblically supported. Or should we also yell at Mary to SEE THE LIGHT?
3. No, I’m not Catholic, I grew up Southern Baptist. But still not a very good one.
4. I think you missed my meager attempts at humor.
5. You’re kind of mean.
Sincerely,
Jason

Jason, you are a man of controversy. Snarky, snarky controversy.

it is interesting that you don’t have any comments from the new age angel worship crowd.
as a child i don’t think i really ever thought about angels growing up but if i have a guardian angel i want them to look like a special forces master sergeant.
i appreciate you, jason. keep on being honest.
btw… the book was great. i just wish i had done the print instead of audio so i could underline.

Wow. Who knew guardian angel portraits were such a touchy subject?
I am very surprised, though, to hear that 55% of Americans think they have a guardian angel. It’s funny the things that we’ll put aside as childish, and the things that we’ll hold on to.

perosnally, i thought this was hilarious.

Jason; when being funny you’re bound to offend someone, I sure you already know this. You’ll always be irreverent to a certain number of people.
I hope that even your posts that aren’t so funny challenge beliefs that are not well founded. Keep it up!

These comments are a treasure. Hope to see you later this week.

The interesting thing here is that both sides (pro-vs-anti Jason’s “creepy” interpretation of the art), are in agreement about one thing, that these are pictures made by humans, and therefore entirely fallible and maybe wrong.
Ditto the creepy thing in my book, but that’s another point.
It reflects my own view on the religion thing…I don’t believe there is a god of any description, but I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to find myself stood in front of one after (probably) a horrible kite-based accident. And if I do then I don’t think any knowledge of any religion’s canon or dogma will help. Knowledge of religious ideas as a basis for a moral system, yes, but whatever the belief is, guardian angels, polytheism, not eating shellfish, or transubstantiation, it’s all a human construct, just like the paintings.
If there is a god then at the end of the day, when I’m being judged, he’ll be judging me. Not my religious leader or friends in the congregation, not the books I own, not the country I happened to be born in (a major influence on any person’s faith), but me. Just me. None of the human created trappings like a special hat or a symbol in my hall, or even my opinions of old artistic impressions of a particular religion’s heavenly messengers.
Just me.

Wow did anybody see the word ART? Angel art not angels and good job to the ones who called them angles!

Good call, Nate. Look for a post tomorrow about how I am also creeped out by ANGLES. Obtuse angles are especially terrifying.

http://robertcargill.com/2010/06/22/jason-boyett-on-the-creepiness-of-guardian-angels/
i don’t buy the concept of guardian angels at all. the last thing christianity needs is a larger pantheon. somehow we went from the monotheistic concept of ‘one god’ to a trinity, then to angels, demons, saints, and now to personal guardian angels to serve us individually in our consumer-based, me first, ‘spiritual but not religious,’ ‘i can be religious without the church/community’ world.
the espousal of guardian angels is the pinnacle of a self-centered christianity and betrays one’s concealed doubt that god alone is not big enough to do the things the faith traditionally says he can do.
excellent post btw. loved it.

You are all twits. These paintings are interpretations of the artist conception of angels. I have asked/prayed to angels to ask God for favors and they have been granted but not in the way I expected. I learned from these experiences. They have kept me safe in a tornado in a campground. I felt at peace and that nothing would harm me my husband or our dog. The tornado was a beautiful sight and no one was injured. You have to look deep into your hearts ti find your sprituality.

The angels in the book of Revelation would be quite terrifying. Eagle heads, several arms, swords. I think that when we think of them as chubby, diapered babies we are 1) making them human…which they are not and 2) reducing their purpose.
And I believe that because of Jesus we are able to speak directly with God. We don’t need to ask angels to get God to grant favors. Sorry, but Touched By An Angel is not reality…not even close.

Maybe it’s possible somehow the “diapered babies” angel concept seems to have morphed out of the larger cultural matrix of the (Graeco-)Roman world (?). I’m just reminded of all those little Cupids toiling away as their depicted in Pompeii. http://www.petermcbride.com/jewellery_tools/vetti_cupids.jpg

@Jeremy…I wish somebody would diaper those baby angels. Way to add another creepy picture!

If you are creeped out by pictures of angels, art painted by man, then to see the real thing would put you in a catatonic state. Grow up and mature. These are just pictures of the artists concept of angels. I feel very sad for your guardian angels because they have an idiot to protect. Lets hope you are able to keep your angelic angels. They have the right to choose as you do. Your angelic guardian, preparing you on your path to God, can just as easily be replaced by demonic angels, preparing you on an entirely different journey.

It must be you.Because actually no one really knows what angels look like;if you read into the King James Bible.They are sent from God,and all these pictures you see are just a man’s idea of how they look.

@Lydia, what is the source for your belief in Guardian Angels? I’m just curious.