Saint Michael
Saint Michael

On view

European Art

Saint Michael,

late 15th century

Artist unidentified
Spanish
y1944-100
The New Testament’s Book of Revelation describes a battle led by the warrior archangel Saint Michael and his army of angels against the forces of evil, represented by a dragon. In this sculpture, a youthful Michael with a calm, fearless expression stands victorious over the dragon. Michael’s armor was once a magnificent silver; over time, it naturally tarnished and turned black. Symbolizing the victory of good over evil and faith over nonbelievers and disbelief, the story of Saint Michael slaying the dragon was a popular subject in fifteenth-century Spain, a time of increasing persecution of Jews and Muslims.

Information

Title
Saint Michael
Dates

late 15th century

Maker
Artist unidentified
Medium
Wood with polychromy and glass
Dimensions
156.5 × 47 × 42.5 cm (61 5/8 × 18 1/2 × 16 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Stanley Mortimer, Class of 1919
Object Number
y1944-100
Place Made

Europe, Spain

Culture
Spanish
Type
sculpture
Materials
wood, paint, glass
Subject
saints, figures (representations), religious art, men, dragons, gold (color), polychromy, armor

Stanley Mortimer; 1944 gift to Princeton University Art Museum.

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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