Saint Michael Attacking the Dragon and Weighing a Soul
Relief
ca. 1430-1470 (made)
ca. 1430-1470 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Images of patron saints stood at the north (left) side of the altar in a church. St Michael, a symbol of justice, divine power and protection against evil, was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages.
Here he is shown feathered and trampling on a many-headed dragon with the Virgin standing behind him. In his left hand he is shown holding a pair of scales (the arms of which are now broken). On the right, a devil's head sits in the weighing pan, attempting to tip the balance, while to the left the Virgin lays her rosary on the arm of the scale to tilt them in favour of the soul which would have been held in the now-missing weighing pan on the left.
The size of this figure suggests its importance. It was probably intended as a single devotional image, set within a winged tabernacle.
Here he is shown feathered and trampling on a many-headed dragon with the Virgin standing behind him. In his left hand he is shown holding a pair of scales (the arms of which are now broken). On the right, a devil's head sits in the weighing pan, attempting to tip the balance, while to the left the Virgin lays her rosary on the arm of the scale to tilt them in favour of the soul which would have been held in the now-missing weighing pan on the left.
The size of this figure suggests its importance. It was probably intended as a single devotional image, set within a winged tabernacle.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Saint Michael Attacking the Dragon and Weighing a Soul (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted alabaster |
| Brief description | Relief, The Archangel Michael weighing a soul with the Virgin interceding, alabaster, England, about 1430-70 |
| Physical description | The Archangel Michael weighing a soul with the Virgin interceding, relief in alabaster. The Archangel Michael is shown attacking the multi-headed Dragon beneath his feet and holding a pair of scales (now broken) in his right hand. The head of a damned soul can be seen in the weighing pan on the right, while the Virgin intercedes on behalf of the blessed soul which would have occupied the pan on the left, now missing. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Lady D'Abernon in accordance with the wishes of the late Lord D'Abernon |
| Object history | Nothing is known of the original provenance of this piece, before it was acquired by Lord D'Abernon, probably in 1926. 1926 was the year of Lord d'Abernon's retirement from public service, and his return from Berlin, where he had been Ambassador since 1920. The size of this figure suggests its importance. It was probably intended as a single devotional image, set within a winged tabernacle. Historical significance: Large carved and painted alabasters of this sort would have been a familiar sight in churches both in England and on the Continent. Saints like Michael, Christopher and the Virgin were often the subject of independent devotional images, which could act as the focus for prayers. These saints were believed to aid the supplicant, either in this life or the next. |
| Historical context | The size of this carving indicates that it was an image of some importance. St Michael was a symbol of justice, divine power and protection against evil. He was also one of the most popular saints of the medieval period, being called upon to aid the passage of the soul after death. The presence of the Virgin Mary, with her rosary, emphasises that this image was about the role of prayers to the Virgin and St Michael, which were believed to speed the soul's passage through purgatory. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | St Michael's fight with the dragon (Satan) is described in Revelation 12:7 to 9 (King James Bible). The intervention of the Virgin on behalf of the souls of the dead is not part of this passage. This image therefore combines a narrative element, with other aspects of the role of Michael and the Virgin. |
| Summary | Images of patron saints stood at the north (left) side of the altar in a church. St Michael, a symbol of justice, divine power and protection against evil, was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Here he is shown feathered and trampling on a many-headed dragon with the Virgin standing behind him. In his left hand he is shown holding a pair of scales (the arms of which are now broken). On the right, a devil's head sits in the weighing pan, attempting to tip the balance, while to the left the Virgin lays her rosary on the arm of the scale to tilt them in favour of the soul which would have been held in the now-missing weighing pan on the left. The size of this figure suggests its importance. It was probably intended as a single devotional image, set within a winged tabernacle. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.209-1946 |
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| Record created | October 7, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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