.png)
Biblical Art & Imagery
Michael the Archangel
Michael is the chief of the angels and he is the guardian prince of Israel and is responsible for the care of Israel. In the Hebrew language, Michael means "Who is like God?" or "Who is equal to God?" He has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Satan, and in his left hand generally a set of scales.
I find comfort and assurance in that most Michael imagery where he is killing Satan, it appears it takes little effort for him to do so.
His countenance is rendered as a calm strength. I think this is likely because how Michael is described in the Bible as mighty and
that God gives him victory.
Raphael's "Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan" painting was commissioned by Pope Leo X and has been located in the Louvre in Paris since 1667. This painting is likely the most iconic rendition with which modern society is familiar.
"Saint Michael in The Fall of the Rebel Angels" is by Luca Giordana and was painted in 1666, and now exhibited at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. This image may be less familiar to most, but it is surely no less beautiful and symbolic.
Guido Reni's "Michael" tramples Satan. It is from 1636 and hangs in Santa Maria della Concezione church in Rome. A mosaic of the same painting decorates St. Michael's Altar in St. Peter's Basilica
(above) Although not my handy work, here's the Michael statue that has been edited with a graphics program, which I think is pretty cool.
The Michael statue on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City, Mexico, was made by 20th-century Mexican sculptor, Ernesto Tamariz Galicia (1904 - 1988).
I came across the image at left (at top for iPhones) by Michael Waters on the internet and it served as an inspiration for me years ago when I dabbled a bit in watercolor painting. My work is surely not a masterpiece, but it was fun to do and I actually framed it and it hangs in my dining room.
These are just a couple of images I came across in my internet travels that I thought were pretty cool.
Below are some stained glass pieces of Michael the Archangel. Who doesn't love stained glass?
This image is a close up of the face from the full length image. It would be incredible to see this in person!
