Saint Michael Defeating Satan
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Authors
Michael Pacher
Date
Type
Image
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Keyword
Saint Michael , Satan , Archangel , Book of Revelation , Devil , Hell
Alternative Title
Abstract
This sculpture (c. 1480) at the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia in Rome depicts the archangel Saint Michael defeating Satan, shown writhing under his right foot. The sculpture references the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation. Saint Michael’s serene face is framed by thick, curled hair, and his left hand holds a removable scale used to weigh souls for their good and bad deeds on Judgement Day. A small devil clings to the bottom, weighing down one side of the scale. This side once held the soul of the sinner praying, which is now lost. In his right hand, Saint Michael holds a flaming sword, given to him by God to conquer Satan and his army of fallen angels.
The archangel is dressed in non-integral armour, which is missing some key components. His body is protected by padded armour on his torso, arms, and legs, as well as a cloak wrapped under his right arm.
Satan, defeated beneath Saint Michael’s foot, is depicted as part human and part animal, with goat legs and an animal-skin abdomen. His face is human-like, with large triangular eyes, flared nostrils, hollowed cheekbones, and low ears. His hands reach toward the scale in Saint Michael’s hand. His mouth is parted in a moan, and his darkened skin reflects a historical trope associating evil with darkness.
The sculpture stands on a circular base and is finished on all sides, with evidence of wings once attached to the back. It was attributed to Austrian sculptor Michael Pacher by Otto Benesch in 1956, who suggested it was made between 1481 and 1484 for the altar of Saint Michael in the parish church of Bolzano. However, the dimensions, circular base, and detailed rear suggest it was an autonomous work.
The sculpture has lost much of its original polychromy due to stripping campaigns, and several parts, including the demon’s right arm and Saint Michael’s hands, have been restored. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Description
National Museum of the Palazzo di Venezia; Tower-Wurts Collection
Citation
Grazia Maria Fachechi Danese, Museo nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia : sculture in legno (Roma: Gangemi, 2011), 114-116.