Roman School Artist, Saint Michael the Archangel Chasing Away Rebel Angels, 1600s-1700s, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Saint michael the archangel expelling the rebel angels from paradise
(probably preparatory sketch)

roman school, 17th/18th century

oil on canvas … Read more Saint michael the archangel expelling the rebel angels from paradise
(probably preparatory sketch)

roman school, 17th/18th century

oil on canvas (99 x 73 cm - framed 119 x 94 cm)

the subject of this fascinating canvas is taken from the last judgement, an extremely rare and always popular subject in painting, as it allowed for contorted poses, sudden and convulsive movements, pathos, and drama in compositions animated by sumptuous theatricality.

in particular, here we see the expulsion of the rebel angels by saint michael the warrior: the archangel is depicted in his armor and with outstretched wings, forcefully striking the damned, who gradually transform into demons during their fall into hell.

the archangel michael dominates the scene, bathed in divine light and surrounded by celestial clouds symbolizing the separation between the heavenly realm and hell. Beneath him tumbles a tangle of naked bodies, arranged in various positions as they fall: they writhe, collide, overlap, trying to find their place in the river of flesh flowing from above. Some of them fall on their backs, others with their heads down, still others have reached the underworld, wrapped in the coils of infernal serpents and taking on the appearance of a demon.

baroque painting loved this type of subject, with religious scenes characterized by great emotional tension, treated with great pathos and immediacy. To achieve drama, artists used powerful contrasts of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), diagonal compositions, and swirling lines, immersing the viewer in a theatrical and engaging visual experience.

this painting is not just a work of art, but a manifesto of the struggle between good and evil, a recurring theme in art history that continues to inspire artists and enthusiasts.

the fascinating canvas follows a descriptive structure that suggests it is a valuable preparatory sketch, a study for a larger altarpiece, or even more likely for a more complex fresco. This suggests that the final work was intended to decorate the main bay of a private chapel.

this work reflects the characteristics of the roman school between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: the colors are warm and luminous, the palette is clear and soft, and the quick yet precise brushstrokes are typical of this period, with strong influences from the flemish artists who populated the papal city.

the rendering of the drapery and the musculature of the bodies are typical characteristics of flemish art of this period, a sign of the expert hand of a highly skilled painter. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the precise author, it is inherited from the illustrative models typical of this period, influenced by the mannerist tradition of artists such as cavalier d'arpino, andrea commodi, and scipione compagno, who tackled this subject on numerous occasions.

a very interesting and certainly a source of inspiration for our artist is the famous engraving by philippe thomassin (1562-1622), depicting the battle between the archangel michael and the demons, based on a painting by giovanni battista ricci (1537-1627), in which we seem to see details of our painting.
condition: the painting is in good condition, with some restorations and some resurfacing of the paint on the surface.

additional information:

the work is sold complete with an antique frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic . This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less