Circle of Light: Halos in Contemporary Art

About the Exhibition

January 1 to 31, 2023

Circle of Light: Halos in Contemporary Art is an online exhibition examining the use of the halo as a symbol in contemporary art. The halo has become a widely recognized design feature in art due to its frequent association with divinity, importance, and purity. These days, contemporary artists may use this symbol to imply a wide range of thoughts and meanings, not just religious ones. The halo over a person's head in a portrait suggests a distinct way to relate to that individual. Exploring contemporary uses for an ancient visual symbol will be a fascinating experience. Curated by Sergio Gomez

"Halo, also called nimbus, in art, radiant circle or disk surrounding the head of a holy person, a representation of spiritual character through the symbolism of light. In Hellenistic and Roman art the sun-god Helios and Roman emperors often appear with a crown of rays. Because of its pagan origin, the form was avoided in Early Christian art, but a simple circular nimbus was adopted by Christian emperors for their official portraits. From the middle of the 4th century, Christ was also shown with this imperial attribute, as was his symbol, the Lamb of God, from the end of the 4th century. In the 5th century it was sometimes given to angels, but it was not until the 6th century that the halo became customary for the Virgin Mary and other saints. For a period during the 5th century, living persons of eminence were depicted with a square nimbus. The halo is also found in Buddhist art of India, appearing from the late 3rd century CE. It is believed that the motif was brought to the East by Greek invaders." -- Brittanica Encyclopedia (https://www.britannica.com/art/halo-art)