Roman painter, 17th-18th century

Oil on canvas

112 x 74 cm

Framed 128 x 91 cm

This interesting Saint Michael the Archangel subduing the demon is a work of great character by a Roman painter active at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, distinguished by a particularly powerful and visually striking Baroque style.

The composition follows the traditional iconographic scheme: the angel with outstretched wings, depicted as a young man of ethereal beauty, echoes the image of a strong yet delicate warrior wielding his sword, ready to strike the rebellious angel lying at his feet amid the flames of hell.

In his other hand, he holds the scales, his typical attribute, alluding to his role in the Last Judgment, where he will use this instrument to ‘weigh’ souls: for the elect, there will be the ascent to Heaven towards God the Father, depicted at the top of the canvas, and for the damned, the fall into the fires of hell.

Supreme commander of the angelic hosts, the figure of St. Michael has a strong symbolic power, representing the victory of Good over Evil: we see him beautiful and with a serene face, symbolizing goodness, while the demon appears on the ground, submissive, in pain in a contorted pose and with a tense gaze, recalling his wickedness.

The stylistic characteristics of the painting show its belonging to Roman figurative culture, undoubtedly influenced in its iconographic choice by the famous Saint Michael the Archangel painted by Guido Reni in 1635 for the Capuchin Church in Via Veneto in Rome (fig.1).

In fact, it echoes the pose of the body, with the particular twist of the torso pivoting on the right foot, with that unmistakable style characterized by its elegance and softness, which made it a model of ideal beauty, so much so that numerous contemporary artists replicated the composition to satisfy the collectors of the time.

Among these, with another painting that certainly inspired our painter, we can mention the Saint Michael the Archangel painted by Guercino in 1644 for the church of San Nicolò in Fabriano (fig. 2), inspired by the beauty of Reni's painting, but translating the same subject with a more dramatic tone, which we find again in our canvas.

The work is in good condition. It is completed by a beautiful gilded and lacquered wooden frame.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

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