Italy, States. An Oil Painting of St. Michael, c.1920
A well-preserved oil on canvas painting of St. Michael the Archangel. The subject is depicted in classical armour and clad in a red robe symbolizing his divinity and the authority of the Holy Spirit. He clutches a shield with his left hand, the obverse of which bears an inscription of “QUIS UT DEUS” (“WHO IS LIKE GOD?”), also the literal translation of Michael, while his right hand clutches a sword, of which only the hilt is visible. Trampled beneath the Archangel’s feet is the devil, personified as a satyr-like creature with a humanoid, horned head and upper body, with the legs and hooves of a goat. Visible behind the devil’s head is what appears to be the fires of hell. Unsigned, the painting is secured within an ornate gilded wood frame, with the obverse executed in detailed arabesque latticework. The reverse shows exposed canvas, with an additional multi-piece wooden frame nailed in place to firmly hold the painting in position. It is topped by a magnetic metal loop for hanging. The visible portion of the image measures 48.5 cm (w) x 64 cm (h) , while the frame measures 62 cm (w) x 77.5 cm (h) overall. The painting depicts consistent, fine cracking reflective of age and storage conditions, including some loss of paint, with some additional cracking of the frame gilt also evident. It remains in a very fine condition.

