St. Michael The Archangel, 17th-century Lombard Painter
Artist: Peintre Lombard Du 17e Siècle
17th-century Lombard painter
Saint Michael the Archangel
Oil on canvas
139 x 75 cm.- Framed: 156 x 91 cm
Antique painting depicting Saint Michael the Archangel, portrayed full-length as a young man of ethereal beauty—strong yet delicate—with large wings and clad in gleaming armor, signifying his role as prince of the heavenly host, and a shield decorated with grotesques.
We see depicted two of his quintessential symbols: the sword with which he defeated the rebellious angel—now lying subdued at his feet—and the scales with which he weighs souls before their Final Judgment.
This is a fascinating painting by a Lombard-trained artist active in the 17th century, who drew inspiration for this work from the Polyptych of the Certosa di Pavia, commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, for the altar of the second chapel on the left, dedicated precisely to Saint Michael.
The original work was created by Pietro Perugino, dated to 1499, and was arranged in two sections: at the top, the Eternal Father (still in situ); at the bottom, the three panels depicting Saint Michael the Archangel (left), the Adoration of the Child (center), and Saint Raphael and Tobias (right) (1).
The history of this work is particularly interesting: following the suppression of the Carthusian order in 1782, it was purchased by Count Giacomo Melzi d’Eril and became part of his collection, before finally being sold in 1856 to the National Gallery in London, where it remains today.
Only the cimas with the Eternal Father remained in place, while the missing panels were replaced by copies on 17th-century canvases.
These copies differ in part from Perugino’s originals due to the absence of a landscape setting (the figures are almost immersed in darkness) and the painterly style, with chiaroscuro effects rendered in the manner of Leonardo, and the darkening of Saint Michael’s armor.
Our canvas is inspired precisely by these versions, created to replace Perugino’s originals (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0300702290-4), which critics attribute with a high degree of probability to the painter Giacomo Antonio Santagostino (1588–1640).
(1) Museum of the Certosa di Pavia
Pietro, known as Perugino (c. 1450–1524
Link: http://www.museo.certosadipavia.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/23/capolavori-della-chiesa-di-santa-ma...
Please note:
The painting is in good condition. The canvas shown in the photo is illuminated by the gallery’s artificial lighting to make it easier to view online, but in reality it appears darker. If you have any questions, please contact the gallery; we will be happy to send you some additional images.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is framed in an attractive gilded frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and warranty.
We handle and arrange shipping for purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers.
You can also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we’d be happy to welcome you and show you our collection of artworks.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
Saint Michael the Archangel
Oil on canvas
139 x 75 cm.- Framed: 156 x 91 cm
Antique painting depicting Saint Michael the Archangel, portrayed full-length as a young man of ethereal beauty—strong yet delicate—with large wings and clad in gleaming armor, signifying his role as prince of the heavenly host, and a shield decorated with grotesques.
We see depicted two of his quintessential symbols: the sword with which he defeated the rebellious angel—now lying subdued at his feet—and the scales with which he weighs souls before their Final Judgment.
This is a fascinating painting by a Lombard-trained artist active in the 17th century, who drew inspiration for this work from the Polyptych of the Certosa di Pavia, commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, for the altar of the second chapel on the left, dedicated precisely to Saint Michael.
The original work was created by Pietro Perugino, dated to 1499, and was arranged in two sections: at the top, the Eternal Father (still in situ); at the bottom, the three panels depicting Saint Michael the Archangel (left), the Adoration of the Child (center), and Saint Raphael and Tobias (right) (1).
The history of this work is particularly interesting: following the suppression of the Carthusian order in 1782, it was purchased by Count Giacomo Melzi d’Eril and became part of his collection, before finally being sold in 1856 to the National Gallery in London, where it remains today.
Only the cimas with the Eternal Father remained in place, while the missing panels were replaced by copies on 17th-century canvases.
These copies differ in part from Perugino’s originals due to the absence of a landscape setting (the figures are almost immersed in darkness) and the painterly style, with chiaroscuro effects rendered in the manner of Leonardo, and the darkening of Saint Michael’s armor.
Our canvas is inspired precisely by these versions, created to replace Perugino’s originals (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0300702290-4), which critics attribute with a high degree of probability to the painter Giacomo Antonio Santagostino (1588–1640).
(1) Museum of the Certosa di Pavia
Pietro, known as Perugino (c. 1450–1524
Link: http://www.museo.certosadipavia.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/23/capolavori-della-chiesa-di-santa-ma...
Please note:
The painting is in good condition. The canvas shown in the photo is illuminated by the gallery’s artificial lighting to make it easier to view online, but in reality it appears darker. If you have any questions, please contact the gallery; we will be happy to send you some additional images.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is framed in an attractive gilded frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and warranty.
We handle and arrange shipping for purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers.
You can also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we’d be happy to welcome you and show you our collection of artworks.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
8 600 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: encadré 91 cm.
Height: encadré 156 cm.
Reference (ID): 1787617
Availability: In stock
Print
