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| Painting Name | The Angel with the Flaming Sword |
| Painter Name | Edwin Howland Blashfield |
| Completion Date | 1893 |
| Technique | Oil |
| Material | Canvas |
| Current Location | Public collection |
According to the mythological story, when Adam and Eve committed the first sin of disobeying god, they were extruded from the Garden of Eden or the paradise. After the extrusion, a cherub (or an archangel) was placed on the gates of the Garden of Eden to stop Adam and Eve re-entering. The story depicts the angle as a fierce personality with a flaming sword. The same angel, guardian of the paradise has been depicted with her strict attitude about not letting anyone in the paradise.
The flaming sword being the only source of light in the painting becomes the prominent element as well as the angel. Her stiff attitude suits a guardian who doesn’t allow any unworthy in the gates. Furthering the sword represents the idea that it is very hard to enter the paradise without the willingness of the angel. The angel is doing her job well by not showing any weak expressions on the face. The angel expelled Adam and Eve by her flaming sword.
This mythological idea of the flaming sword has been adopted in many games, movies and books, but the essential of being an undefeated sword hasn’t been changed a lot. This majestic depiction of the same sword with its owner by American painter Edwin Blashfield represents the same essential strength and authority of the sword and its bearer.
