Archangel Michael, the leader of the heavenly host

Iconography:  Archangel Michael – the Commander of the Fearsome Host

Date: XVIII century. Early XVIIIth century (ca. 1709?)

Origin: was removed from the Blagoveshchenskaya church in the village of Tuglim of the Lenskiy district, Archangelskaya region (1710)

Material: Wood, cut-back central portion, canvas, levkas, tempera

Dimensions:  height 109,5 cm, width 95 cm

Archangel Michael is represented armored and wearing a crown, sitting on the back of a fiery winged horse. In his right hand he is holding a cross and a censer and his left hand is holding a Gospel book. Archangel is trumpeting the Second Coming of Christ and above his extended wings is depicted a rainbow. In the upper right corner in the quadrant is a throne behind which can be seen an image of Christ Emmanuel. In the lower part of the icon below the horse’s feet are depicted defeated Satan and the town turned upside down symbolizing the deadly kingdoms.

Registration number ДРЖ-1613. © State Museum Association «Art Culture of the Russian North»

Bibliography:
Иконы Русского Севера. Шедевры древнерусской живописи Архангельского музея изобразительных искусств. М., 2007.
Т. 2. № 182. С. 332.

  • General view