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Archangel Michael
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.
Saint Michael
Archangel Michael
Pellegrino di Giovanni di Antonio da Perugia (Italian (Perugian), active by 1425, died in 1437)
about 1428–37
Medium/Technique
Tempera on panel
Dimensions
100 x 37.5 cm (39 3/8 x 14 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Charles Potter Kling Fund
Accession Number68.22
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
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.
[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.