Featured Art
Recent Works Masterpieces Looking to Score Buck Rapture Warmest Wishes Exposure

Quick Find
Click for enlarged and detailed views. Rapture

24 x 18½ pastel on pastel paper
completed and released November 17, 2009

Purchase merchandise featuring this artwork.


They watched in anger as the pious crowd brutalized the young men while shouting vulgarities and invoking the Almighty. It was obvious that over the centuries the people's devotion had been perverted into this bloodlust. And they had finally had enough. Once they saw the ropes being strung up they broke their edict, showing themselves. They could no longer wait until death had come to do their task, they would end these atrocities now. As they descended from above, like birds of prey, some swooped the tortured youths from the clutches of their persecutors, carrying them off to safety, while others turned their attention to the fleeing mob.

I am not a religious person. Perhaps that is why, despite numerous suggestions over the years, I had never before been compelled to do an angel painting. That changed after hearing news of torture and public hangings of gays around the world, all in the name of God. Though not a believer myself, I cannot imagine anything more horrifying for a true person of faith than for their own beliefs perpetuating violence or instigating prejudice against others.

D Slaga said:
Michael, As you know I love this piece. Especially since it's fitting into the whole "Hero" theme. While you say you aren't a religious person, one can read many themes into this piece. Guardian Angel. Holy Spirit, saving the tortured one, i.e. Jesus or a Christ like figure. Quite frankly all though the wounds are similar to the ones Jesus portrayed, I also got a strong sense of the angel saving a wounded soldier.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Michael Breyette (the artist) said:
I didn't really give the placements of the wounds much thought, but apparently my subconscious was channeling my days of going to Catechism.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Gary J said:
Michael, I am not very religious but I to grew up in Calechism as well. So I look at this man my Guardian Angel as well. Yet the drawing give me hope that there is love for us all after death. Being who we are has not made life easy in many ways. Yet this drawing that I'd love to own would be a reminder that I'll be ok when its my day. Funny I don't take this as a sad drawing, I take it as hope for the next round. It is a most breathtaking peice of your talents. It will always be a part of our history no matter where it hangs. We all got to share the beauty of Raptur. Gary
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Michael Breyette (the artist) said:
Sadness or despair is not something I usually infuse into my works. If there is an element of melancholy, it's accompanied by a subtext of hope and optimism. And since I paint for myself, I know I wouldn't want to hang a gloomy picture to look at all day...every single day.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Paul Anthony said:
Very nice piece of art. Saying it is warm, strong, sensual will not be adequate to how many things this work makes you feel. This is a piece I look forward to having for the rest of my life. You are very talented Michael. Thank you very much.
Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Tonze said:
Rapture is just Devine... Can't say it enough, You are just amazing! Thanks for making my day...
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 03:05 AM

2010 Calendar

On the Drawing Board