Not on display

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

St Michael overcoming Satan

Model
ca. 1817 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a sketch model for the marble group executed by Flaxman for the 3rd Earl of Egremont, which was completed, almost certainly, by Thomas Denman, Flaxman's brother-in-law and pupil, in 1826, and installed at Petworth House, Sussex, at some date after October 1827. The group was commissioned in 1817. A full-size plaster model that Flaxman exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1822 is at University College, London. Reproductions of St Michael overcoming Satan by William Wyon were commissioned by the Art Union and issued in 1844. A further small model is in Sir John Soane's Museum, London.

John Flaxman (1755-1826) was an English sculptor, designer and teacher. He was the most famous English Neo-classical sculptor of the late 18th century and the early 19th. He focused on monumental sculpture and church monuments and portrait busts. A large collection of his plaster models is held in the Strang Print Room, University College, London. He also made outline illustrations of Homer, Aeschylus and Dante. Many of those in his sketchbooks (now in the V&A) were drawn from the antique while he was in Italy. Furthermore he produced models for pottery and silver supplying the pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood among others. He thus can be considered as an important pioneer in the development of Industrial Design.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Model
  • Spear
TitleSt Michael overcoming Satan (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plaster
Brief description
Model, plaster, St Michael overcoming Satan, by John Flaxman, England, ca. 1817
Physical description
Plaster model of the archangel Michael and Satan. By John Flaxman, R.A. This is the original design for the colossal group in marble at Petworth House, Sussex. St Michael, nude and without wings, stands on his left leg, the right swinging out behind him, and strikes with his spear at Satan, who is writhing at his feet. A small drapery covers St Michael's loins and right hip, and curves downwards to the serpent coils, which represent the lower part of Satan's body.
Dimensions
  • Excluding spear height: 78cm
  • Width: 300mm
  • Depth: 330mm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. Stuart
Object history
Given by Dr. W. Stuart, 133 Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, London in 1898. Recorded in the original acquisition information as being acquired by Dr. Stuart from the Denman sale at Christie's.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is a sketch model for the marble group executed by Flaxman for the 3rd Earl of Egremont, which was completed, almost certainly, by Thomas Denman, Flaxman's brother-in-law and pupil, in 1826, and installed at Petworth House, Sussex, at some date after October 1827. The group was commissioned in 1817. A full-size plaster model that Flaxman exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1822 is at University College, London. Reproductions of St Michael overcoming Satan by William Wyon were commissioned by the Art Union and issued in 1844. A further small model is in Sir John Soane's Museum, London.

John Flaxman (1755-1826) was an English sculptor, designer and teacher. He was the most famous English Neo-classical sculptor of the late 18th century and the early 19th. He focused on monumental sculpture and church monuments and portrait busts. A large collection of his plaster models is held in the Strang Print Room, University College, London. He also made outline illustrations of Homer, Aeschylus and Dante. Many of those in his sketchbooks (now in the V&A) were drawn from the antique while he was in Italy. Furthermore he produced models for pottery and silver supplying the pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood among others. He thus can be considered as an important pioneer in the development of Industrial Design.
Bibliographic references
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470-2000: A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V&A Publications, 2002 p. 81
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1898. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Wyman and Sons. 1902. pp.50
  • Whinney, Margaret, English Sculpture 1720-1830. London: H. M. Stationery Off., 1971 pp. 144.
  • Made in York: Inventing & Enlightening the Georgian City, exh. cat, 2017, p. 47, cat. 56.
Collection
Accession number
312:1, 2-1898

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Record createdFebruary 26, 2003
Record URL
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