Saint Michael Slaying Evil, Southern Germany Or Northern Italy, 17th C.

Polychrome wood sculpture, gold and silver leaves, representing the archangel Saint Michael slaying evil, personified here by Lucifer. Michel is one of the seven major archangels (with Gabriel and Raphael in particular) of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). He is called an archangel, or chief angel, in the Bible. His name comes from the Hebrew Mîkhâ'êl, and is designated as the "appointed protector of the Hebrew people" (Daniel 10,21; 12,1). Leader of the heavenly militia of the Angels of Good, he is mainly represented at the time of the end of time, slaying evil, with the scales of the weighing of souls, judge and guide of the salvation of souls to Hell and Heaven ( symbolic allegory of the victory of Good over Evil). He has been the patron saint of Normandy, France, Germany, Belgium, and the Vatican since 2017. Linden wood, southern Germany, or Italy. 17th c.