Angels

Angel, definitions taken from Dictionary.com

1. A typically benevolent celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth, especially in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism.

2. A representation of such a being, especially in Christianity, conventionally in the image of a human figure with a halo and wings.

3. angels Christianity The last of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. From the highest to the lowest in rank, the orders are: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels.

We find that the New Testament, the Hebrew Bible and the Koran refer to "angels" as "messengers" of God

What does Wikipedia have to say about "angels"?

Read here about the origin of the word "angel".

What is the difference between how artists depicted angels in the past with how artists do it today?

In centuries past artists painted angels following the religious background of their region and time period, using religious themes according to their bible or devotional beliefs. It was a very religious subject, tied to beliefs and sacred lore.

Today, the religious emphasis has changed from religious to spiritual, not tied to any specific credo or religion but freely expressing spirituality in the context that the artist chooses.

The belief that angels exist is obvious but how they look, what they do and their circumstances doesn't follow sacred lore or any specific pattern. Today, artists are free to express what they feel and how they view angels. This makes the subject increasingly appealing because it opens the possibilities to more creativity and artisitic expression.