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Saint Michael

Saint Michael

(Italian (Perugian), active by 1425, died in 1437)
about 1428–37
Medium/TechniqueTempera on panel
Dimensions100 x 37.5 cm (39 3/8 x 14 3/4 in.)
Credit LineCharles Potter Kling Fund
Accession number68.22
On View
On view
ClassificationsPaintings
Collections
Description

Originally part of an altarpiece in a church, this panel

depicts Saint Michael the Archangel triumphant—sword

in one hand, spear in the other—atop the Devil in the

form of a dragon with a pretzel tail. Although the

painting’s surface is abraded, Michael's demeanor is

remarkably graceful, and many details remain legible.

Instead of one set of wings, this angel has three, each

composed of a variety of colors. His halo is partially

obscured by a voluminous hat of feathers. The armor and

sword were originally decorated with silver leaf.

ProvenanceBy 1914, vicomte Bernard d' Hendecourt, Paris [see note 1]. By 1924, Adolphe Stoclet (b. 1871 - d. 1949), Brussels [see note 2]; by descent to his daughter, Michèle Stoclet, Brussels; June 30, 1965, Stoclet and others sale, Sotheby's, London, lot 19, to Agnew and Sons, London; 1968, sold by Agnew to the MFA [see note 3]. (Accession Date: February 7, 1968)

[1] First published by F. M. Perkins, "Dipinti senesi sconosci o inediti," Rassegna d'Arte 14 (1914): 100, as a work by Andrea di Bartolo. [2] Raimond van Marle, The Italian Schools of Painting, vol. 2 (The Hague, 1924), p. 574. [3] Accessioned as a work by Gentile da Fabriano.