Angelarium: The Art of Peter Mohrbacher

Since leaving behind his burgeoning career in 2014 as an illustrator for Magic: The Gathering and other games, Chicago-based artist Peter Mohrbacher has focused exclusively on his personal project, Angelarium.

Above: ‘Remiel, Angel of Visions’

With Angelarium, Mohrbacher creates an almost taxonomic catalogue of angels taken from real-world mythologies. But these are not paintings of the fair, winged figures of traditional Judeo-Christian art; Mohrbacher’s angels are surreal and deeply alien constructions, with their possibility of benevolence balanced with an inhuman menace.

Above: ‘Yesod, Foundation of Life’ and then ‘Keter, Emanation of the Crown’

The vivid, colorful realism and dynamic posing that made Mohrbacher’s art such an asset in game design are apparent in this work as well, but in Angelarium we are seeing his unique visual imagination unbound. He is taking us on a wild journey, and with a strong Patreon community behind his work, there is no end in sight.

Above: ‘Kokabiel, Angel of the Stars’ then ‘Cambiel, Angel of Aquarius’ and ‘Eistibus, Angel of Divination’

You can see the entire Angelarium project here: https://www.angelarium.net/.