Engraving – Etching And Burin – Saint Michael Defeating The Rebel Angels – Haute époque

First half of the 17th century – Circa 1625–1640 Flemish engraving after Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) Cornelis de Boudt excudit, Antwerp – Cornelis Galle sculpsit Engraving on laid paper depicting the Archangel Saint Michael slaying the rebel angels, in a vision of apocalyptic intensity. In the center, Michael, armored, brandishes the divine sword and holds the resplendent shield adorned with the monogram IHS, symbol of the triumphant Christ. Around him, the faithful angels confront the fallen spirits, precipitated in the darkness among hybrid and demonic figures, between humanity and monstrosity. This composition is based on the invention of Peter Paul Rubens, painted around 1621 for the Jesuit church in Lille—a work that was lost in the fire of 1740. The first print was engraved by Lucas Vorsterman, a close collaborator of Rubens, before being taken over and distributed by the Antwerp workshops, notably those of Cornelis Galle and Cornelis de Boudt. The copy presented belongs to this second generation of Flemish proofs, where the vigor of the line and the richness of the contrasts faithfully convey the Baroque spirit of the original model. The treatment of the powerfully modeled bodies and the light emanating from the shield embody the central spiritual struggle of the Counter-Reformation: the victory of faith over rebellion, of light over darkness. The motto QUIS UT DEUS (“Who is like God?”), engraved in the center of the bottom of the plate, refers to the meaning of Michael’s name and his divine mission as defender of the celestial order. Comparable proofs are held in several major institutions: – British Museum, London (inv. 1852,0214.268) – Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (RP-P-OB-47.456) – Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge (inv. M26445) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. 51.501.3533). Inscriptions: – Bottom left: Cor. de Boudt excu. Ant. – (Cornelis de Boudt, publisher, Antwerp) – Bottom right: Corn. Galle excudit Antuerpiae – (Cornelis Galle, engraver and publisher, Antwerp) – Center: QUIS UT DEUS – (Who is like God?) Condition: very fine old proof, contrasted, printed on laid paper, fine margins, tiny traces of age, slight vertical crease on the right. Bowl dimensions: approximately 46.5 x 33.7 cm An emblematic work of Flemish Baroque, where the virtuosity of the chisel and mystical fervor combine in the same heroic breath: that of divine light overcoming the revolt of the angels. Delivery provided exclusively by DHL Express.