St Michael Overcoming Satan
Statuette
first quarter 17th century (made)
first quarter 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a bronze group designed by Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654), in the first quarter of the 17th century.
Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654) was an Italian sculptor, architect and draughtsman. Alongside Bernini he was the most important sculptor in Rome active around the middle of the 17th century. He produced the classizing antithesis to Bernini's High Baroque sculpture. They were seen and experienced at the time as rivals and equals.
The subject of St Michael overcoming Satan was quite popular in the Counter-Reformation time in Italy, allowing the Catholic Church to associate the theme with their 'battle' over the Protestants.
The archangel Michael is the first of the angels. He is often represented in armour with a sword and standing over or fighting with a dragon or he is shown with scales. God sent him to overcome Lucifer and he is also regarded as the angel of the Resurrection. He would receive the souls of the dead weighing them in his balance.
Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654) was an Italian sculptor, architect and draughtsman. Alongside Bernini he was the most important sculptor in Rome active around the middle of the 17th century. He produced the classizing antithesis to Bernini's High Baroque sculpture. They were seen and experienced at the time as rivals and equals.
The subject of St Michael overcoming Satan was quite popular in the Counter-Reformation time in Italy, allowing the Catholic Church to associate the theme with their 'battle' over the Protestants.
The archangel Michael is the first of the angels. He is often represented in armour with a sword and standing over or fighting with a dragon or he is shown with scales. God sent him to overcome Lucifer and he is also regarded as the angel of the Resurrection. He would receive the souls of the dead weighing them in his balance.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St Michael Overcoming Satan (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, St Michael overcoming Satan, cast after a design by Alessandro Algardi, Italy (Rome), first quarter of 17th century |
| Physical description | St Michael turned to right, is shown with right hand raised and right foot resting on the figure of Satan beneath. With his left hand he holds a chain fixed to a manacle round the raised left arm of the recumbent figure whose right arm is chained to the ground. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1951. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a bronze group designed by Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654), in the first quarter of the 17th century. Alessandro Algardi (1595-1654) was an Italian sculptor, architect and draughtsman. Alongside Bernini he was the most important sculptor in Rome active around the middle of the 17th century. He produced the classizing antithesis to Bernini's High Baroque sculpture. They were seen and experienced at the time as rivals and equals. The subject of St Michael overcoming Satan was quite popular in the Counter-Reformation time in Italy, allowing the Catholic Church to associate the theme with their 'battle' over the Protestants. The archangel Michael is the first of the angels. He is often represented in armour with a sword and standing over or fighting with a dragon or he is shown with scales. God sent him to overcome Lucifer and he is also regarded as the angel of the Resurrection. He would receive the souls of the dead weighing them in his balance. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.56-1951 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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