Saint Michael The Archangel, Juan Pedro López (venezuela, 1724 - 1787)

18th-century Spanish Colonial School
Attributed to Juan Pedro López (Caracas, Venezuela, 1724 - 1787)

Saint Michael the Archangel

Oil on canvas
91 x 69 - Framed 105 x 85 cm

DETAILS (LINK)

The canvas shows a splendid Saint Michael the Archangel subduing the devil, the work of a talented Spanish painter in the 18th century, who is distinguished by a particularly solemn and spectacular Baroque language.

Appointed Prince of the heavenly hosts, the most powerful of angels, he represents Good defeating Evil, trampling Satan to drive him back into the underworld.

The composition presents a well-established iconographic scheme, with the Archangel Michael depicted as a young man of rare beauty who takes up the classical image of the warrior with a simple tunic and a feathered helmet on his head.

Strong and delicate at the same time, with outstretched wings he protects himself thanks to an imposing shield, while he raises his flaming sword ready to deliver the victory blow to the rebel angel.

On the shield is the monogram of the Latin locution 'Quis sicut Deus?' (literally "Who is like God?"), a rhetorical question attributed to the archangel Michael, at the head of the ranks of angels faithful to God, who uttered it when he hurled himself at the rebellious angels led by Lucifer, when the latter challenged the power of God.

The painting, datable to the middle of the 18th century, should be placed in the rich Spanish colonial production, and precisely its style overlaps perfectly with the works of the painter Juan Pedro López (Caracas, Venezuela, 1724 - 1787), a central figure in the development of colonial art, and considered one of the most important and hungry artists of the colonial period.

As a painter, sculptor and gilder, he illuminated the sombre art of his time with the light and grace of the Hispano-American Rococo.

His work, particularly based on religious painting due to the commissions he received, followed a style largely derived from the aesthetics prevalent in Spain. After the conquest of America by Europeans, new schools of painting developed in the 'New Continent', with the intention of producing works to decorate the numerous churches that were being built everywhere, and the stately homes of rulers.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is completed by a lacquered wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian clients, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit, which takes about 10/20 days; our gallery will take care of the whole phase until it is obtained. All costs of this procedure are included.

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