Inherited from the religions of pagan Antiquity, where its smoke was already a gift from mankind to the gods, in the Christian liturgy, incense became the material form of the believers’ prayers rising to God. Numerous thurifer angels − depicted with a thurible or censer like the acolyte during ceremonies – are to be found in the Bible and in religious iconography as intercessors between God and man. This one, painted by the great German Primitive artist Bernhard Strigel, is shown in an attitude of adoration with finely painted smoke rising towards Heaven.