GOYA Y LUCIENTES, Francisco de
(b. 1746, Fuendetodos, d. 1828, Bordeaux)

The Miracle of St Anthony (detail)

1798
Fresco
San Antonio de la Florida, Madrid

Angels do not fall out of the sky; people, however, need a balustrade. Goya uses it to emphasize that the earthly world extends as far as the edge of the cupola, which is usually claimed by the Church.