French School, Early 16th Century - Circa 1520 - Oil On Copper - St. Michael -

French School (Burgundy or Champagne), early 16th century - circa 1520 - Oil on canvas -
Saint Michael slaying the dragon. The copper has been cleaned. The restoration has wonderfully brought out the colors and the finesse of the painting. Small format (16 x 12 cm). Framed. An important figure in the three monotheistic religions, the archangel Michael, in his role as warrior, is often depicted "slaying the dragon," an image taken from the Book of Revelation. The dragon embodies the devil himself, whom Michael manages to defeat by plunging his spear into its throat before banishing it from paradise.
This iconography may have been inspired, among other sources, by an episode from Greek mythology. Sent to defeat a fabulous monster known as the Chimera, Bellerophon kills it by piercing its throat with a bronze spear. This image has been reproduced throughout the centuries, engraved in numerous prints, drawings, and other documents in Gallica. The painting depicts the archangel Michael in combat with the demons of hell. At the center of the painting, the archangel Saint Michael stands balanced on his left leg, resting on the demon's neck, with the lance piercing evil. With wings outstretched, his right leg suspended, and his cloak billowing in the wind beneath his breastplate, the archangel delivers the fatal blow to the monster that has coiled its tail around his leg.
The archangel wears antique armor and holds a shield, adorned with a red cross on a white background, an allusion to the cross of Saint Michael, a knight of Christ. At the center of our composition, Saint Michael stands proudly in red armor, armed with his shield. The diagonal of the lance is reflected in the right diagonal (wing + shield + dragon's tail) in order to focus the viewer's attention on Saint Michael, who occupies the center of the painting. Note the exquisite detail of the hero's face and his serenity in contrast to that of the monster pierced by the lance.
N ote the use of the vibrant colors of Saint Michael and the dark colors of the dragon, which contrast to lend greater intensity and power to the scene. There is little relief, hence the early 16th-century dating, except for a beige gradient to reinforce the message of good and evil, Heaven and Hell, between the top and bottom of the painting. Also noteworthy is the use of red, generally associated with the martyrdom of Saint Michael and his sacrifice for his Christian faith. The white cross is a symbol of purity and religion. Together, these colors reflect the Christian heritage and the heroic courage of Saint Michael in the legend of the dragon.