Western iconography (mosaics, frescoes, sculptures)
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3.3 - Western iconography (mosaics, frescoes, sculptures)
3.3.1 - Early Christian and early medieval mosaics
• St Michael in the mosaics of Ravenna
Church of San Michele in Africisco
Built between 545 and 547 AD during the Justinian era, the Church of San Michele in Africisco in Ravenna was decorated with splendid mosaics. The apse mosaic, now in the Bode Museum in Berlin, depicts the beardless Christ in the centre, holding a long cross and an open codex, flanked by the archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe
In the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, consecrated in 549 A.D., the Archangel Michael is depicted against a gilded background, in a frontal position, resting his feet on a decorated suppedaneum. He wears a white tunic and a purple chlamys, with ornamental details reflecting Byzantine influence.
The Archangel in the mosaic cycles of Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The mosaics in the nave and triumphal arch of the Basilica of St. Mary Major date back to the pontificate of Sixtus III (432-440). These mosaics, among the oldest in Rome, depict stories from the Old Testament and scenes from the infancy of Christ. The triumphal arch includes depictions of episodes from the apocryphal Gospels, such as the encounter with the governor Aphrodisius.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
In the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, the apse is decorated with a large mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator, flanked by saints and apostles. Although the Archangel Michael is not directly represented, the composition reflects the influence of Byzantine iconography and the centrality of the figure of Christ in Christian theology.
Symbolic elements and oriental influences
The early Christian and early medieval mosaics of the West show a strong influence of Byzantine art, evident in the use of golden backgrounds, the frontality of the figures and the richness of the ornamental details. The depiction of St Michael as a celestial warrior and defender of the faith reflects the theology of the time and his role as protector against the forces of evil.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna)
Apse mosaic with St Michael Archangel
• Basilica of San Vitale (Ravenna)
Apsidal mosaic with Christ between the Archangels Michael and Gabriel
• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Rome)
Triumphal arch mosaics with scenes from the childhood of Christ
• Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls (Rome)
Apsidal mosaic with Christ Pantocrator
Video
The mosaics of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Ravenna: Mosaics from the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Sources and references
Emilia-Romagna Region - Archangel Michael at Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Wikipedia - Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in ClasseWikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roma Sette - The splendid mosaics of Santa Maria MaggioreRomaSette
RavennAntica - Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in ClasseRavenna Tourism+3Ravenna Antica+3
3.3.2 - Romanesque frescoes
• St Michael in the apsidal decoration and biblical cycles
During the Romanesque period (11th-12th century), Saint Michael the Archangel is frequently depicted in apsidal frescoes and biblical pictorial cycles, especially in the contexts of the Last Judgement and psychostasy (weighing of souls). His depictions often show him as a celestial warrior, armed with a sword or spear, defeating the dragon or weighing the souls of the dead.
Psychostasy and dragon combat
Two recurring iconographic themes in Romanesque frescoes are:
• Psychostasy: St Michael is depicted weighing the souls of the dead on a scale, determining the eternal fate of the souls.
• Battle with the dragon: The Archangel is depicted in the act of defeating the dragon, a symbol of evil, often taken from the Apocalypse.
Examples from Italy, France and Spain
en Italy
• Church of San Pellegrino in Bominaco (Abruzzo): Inside the oratory are 13th century frescoes depicting St Michael in Psychostasy and Fighting the Dragon.
• Grotta di San Michele in Montoro Inferiore (Campania): Votive frescoes from the 13th century show St Michael piercing the dragon and weighing souls.
• Church of San Giorgio in Campochiesa (Liguria): A fresco from 1446 depicts St Michael with the scales of psychostasy.
fr France
• Chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe in Le Puy-en-Velay: Romanesque frescoes depict Saint Michael in the act of defeating the dragon.
es Spain
• Church of Saint Michael of Soriguerola (Catalonia): The altar frontal, attributed to the Master of Soriguerola, depicts the psychostasy and the fight of Saint Michael with the dragon.
Multimedia content
Images
• St. Michael in Psychostasy - Church of San Pellegrino in Bominaco
• St Michael piercing the dragon - Cave of San Michele in Montoro Inferiore
• Fresco of St Michael - Church of San Giorgio in Campochiesa
• Altar frontal with St. Michael - Church of San Michele di Soriguerola
Video
A video exploring the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, a significant example of Romanesque art in Italy.
Michael against the Dragon: at the Magliana there is a portrait of Satan
An in-depth study of the representation of St Michael defeating the dragon, with particular reference to a fresco in the Magliana area.
Sources and insights
Genoa Museums - Psychostasy of the Archangel Michael
In the Footsteps of The Archangel Michael and PsychostasySt Michael -
In the Footsteps of St Michael Iconography of St Michael-
Wikipedia - Tablet of St Michael
Wikipedia - [Master of Soriguerola](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maestro_di_S
3.3.3 - Romanesque sculpture
• The Archangel in cathedral portals (Autun, Moissac, Ferrara) Autun (France) - Saint-Lazare Cathedral
The west portal of Saint-Lazare Cathedral in Autun, sculpted by Gislebertus around 1130, features an imposing tympanum with the Last Judgement. In the centre, Christ in Majesty is flanked by angels, including Saint Michael, depicted in the act of psychostasy, the weighing of souls. This scene is intended to instruct the faithful on the importance of a virtuous life and the consequences of one's actions.
Moissac (France) - Saint-Pierre Abbey
The south portal of the abbey of Saint-Pierre in Moissac, created between 1120 and 1135, is a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture. The tympanum depicts Christ in Majesty surrounded by symbols of the evangelists, while the central jamb (trumeau) and archivolts are decorated with figures of prophets and angels, including St Michael. The rich sculptural decoration was intended to convey religious teachings to the faithful through easily understandable images.
Ferrara (Italy) - Cathedral of San Giorgio
The main portal of the cathedral of San Giorgio in Ferrara, attributed to the sculptor Niccolò, features a lunette with Saint George slaying the dragon, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Although Saint Michael is not directly depicted, the scene is iconographically reminiscent of his typical depictions. The two-storey porch, supported by columns on stilophore lions, and the upper loggia with the statue of the Madonna and Child, complete the rich sculptural decoration.
Capitals, pulpits and architraves with scenes of judgement
Romanesque sculpture also extended to architectural elements such as capitals, pulpits and architraves, often decorated with scenes of the Last Judgement, psychostasy and the fight between St Michael and the dragon. These representations had a didactic function, illustrating to the faithful the consequences of human actions and the importance of the salvation of the soul.
Pedagogical and theological value of sculpture
Romanesque sculpture served as a 'Biblia pauperum' (poor man's Bible), conveying religious teachings through images carved on portals, capitals and other architectural elements. St Michael, in particular, symbolised the struggle between good and evil, divine judgement and the protection of the soul, offering the faithful a model of virtue and justice.
Multimedia content Pictures
• West portal of the Saint-Lazare cathedral in Autun
• South portal of Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac
• Façade of the Cathedral of San Giorgio in Ferrara
Ferrara Land and Water• Romanesque capital with figurative decoration
Video
The Last Judgement of Gislebertus in Autun
An in-depth study of the tympanum of Saint-Lazare Cathedral in Autun, with an analysis of the figures and theological significance.
Romanesque sculpture at Moissac
Exploration of the south portal of Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac, with a focus on the sculptures and their didactic function.
Sources
Autun Cathedral - Saint-Lazare
Portal of the Last Judgement of Gislebertus - Historical Insight
Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Moissac
Cathedral of San Giorgio (Ferrara) - Architectural description
G. Duby, "L'arte romanica", Turin, Einaudi, 1995 (for historical context and theological function of Romanesque sculpture)
3.3.4 - Gothic painting and monumental frescoes
• New balances between humanisation and transcendence
In the Gothic period, monumental painting evolved towards a greater humanisation of sacred figures, while maintaining their transcendence. Artists begin to depict the emotions and expressions of the characters, giving them a more earthly and accessible dimension. This balance between the divine and the human is reflected in the depictions of St Michael the Archangel, who appears both as a stern judge and as a compassionate protector.
The Figure of Michael in the Giottesque-Scholastic Cycles
Giotto di Bondone, in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua (1303-1305), introduces a new mode of spatial and narrative representation. In the 'Last Judgement' on the counter façade, St Michael is depicted in the act of psychostasy, weighing the souls of the dead. His figure, solemn and authoritative, embodies the role of judge and intercessor between heaven and earth. This approach will profoundly influence later painting, particularly in school cycles and in the iconographic programmes of churches.
Presence in the Last Judgements and in 14th-15th century mural painting
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the figure of St Michael continued to be central in the pictorial cycles of the Last Judgement. Artists such as Jacopo da Verona, in the frescoes of the Oratory of St. Michael in Padua (1397), and Antonio da Tradate, in the Church of St. Michael in Palagnedra, depict the Archangel with well-established iconographic attributes: the scales, the sword and outstretched wings. These works, often commissioned by confraternities or religious orders, served to educate the faithful on the themes of salvation and divine justice.
Multimedia content Pictures
• Giotto, 'Last Judgement' (1303-1305), Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
• Jacopo da Verona, fresco cycle (1397), Oratory of San Michele, Padua
• Antonio da Tradate, Saint Michael Archangel, Church of San Michele, Palagnedra
Video
Sources
Giotto - The Last Judgement - The motions of ArtAcademia+11The motions of Art+11
Antonio da Tradate's frescoes in San Michele in Palagnedra - .edu AcademiaAcademia+1Academia+1
14th-century fresco cycles in Padua - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
3.3.5 - Gothic sculpture and church architecture
• St Michael as guardian of cathedrals
In the Gothic period, St Michael the Archangel assumed a prominent role as protector and guardian of cathedrals, often depicted in elevated or central positions in the façades of sacred buildings.
• Mont-Saint-Michel (France): On top of the spire of the Gothic abbey of Mont- Saint-Michel stands a gilded statue of St Michael, symbolising his function as heavenly guardian.
• Amiens Cathedral (France): The central portal of Amiens Cathedral is dedicated to the Last Judgement, with St Michael depicted in the act of psychostasy, weighing the souls of the dead.
• Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula (Brussels): The main façade of the cathedral features three splayed portals with sculptures that include angelic figures, including St Michael, testifying to its importance in Gothic symbolism.
Monumental Statues and Sculptural Groups
Gothic sculpture saw the creation of monumental statues and sculptural groups dedicated to St Michael, often placed at strategic points in churches and cities.
• Pulpit of Pisa Cathedral (Italy): Made by Giovanni Pisano between 1302 and 1310, the pulpit features a figure of St Michael in the act of defeating the dragon, symbol of evil.
• Statue of St Michael in Lucca (Italy): On the façade of the Church of San Michele in Foro there is a large marble statue of the Archangel, 4 metres high, with metal foil wings, depicted piercing a dragon.
Entry into urban iconographic programmes
St Michael also enters urban iconographic programmes, symbolising divine protection over cities.
• Church of Orsanmichele (Florence, Italy): Originally a grain market, the building was converted into a church and decorated with statues of the patron saints of the Florentine arts, including a statue of St Michael, representing the merchants' guild.
Multimedia content
Images
• Pulpit of Pisa Cathedral - Giovanni Pisano (1302-1311)
• Central portal of Amiens Cathedral - Scene of the Last Judgement
• Façade of the Church of San Michele in Foro, Lucca - Statue of the Archangel Michael
• Portal of the Cathedral of San Michele Arcangelo, Bitetto (Bari)
Video
Sources
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay - UNESCO World Heritage CentreUNESCO CentreWorld Heritage
Amiens Cathedral - Khan AcademyKhan Academy
Church of Orsanmichele - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Lucca, what makes the Church of San Michele in Foro special - Turismo.ithttps//www.turismo.it
3.3.6 - Local and fraternal artistic productions
• Popular iconographies in rural churches and confraternities
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the figure of Saint Michael the Archangel spread widely in rural churches and among local confraternities, often through artistic representations by local craftsmen or minor artists. These works, although less well known than the great urban pictorial cycles, testify to a profound popular devotion and an entrenchment of the cult of St. Michael in the social fabric of communities.
For example, in the Church of San Michele in Ortignano Raggiolo, there is a painting depicting the Archangel defeating the dragon, attributed to the Arezzo painter Silvestro Pontenani. This work, inspired by Antonio del Pollaiolo's painting for the Compagnia di Sant'Angelo in Arezzo, shows how popular iconographies spread even in rural areas, adapting to local needs and sensibilities.
The Archangel protector in local painting cycles
St Michael Archangel was often represented as the protector of local communities, especially in contexts linked to confraternities. In the Church of San Michele in Ortignano Raggiolo, in addition to Pontenani's painting, there is a wooden sculpture of the Archangel trampling the devil, attributed to the Florentine Giovanni Nigetti and datable to the second quarter of the 17th century. These works, commissioned by the local confraternities, were intended to strengthen the sense of belonging and devotion of the faithful.
Minor artists and mixed techniques
Local artistic productions often involved minor artists who used mixed techniques to realise their works. A significant example is the fresco of St Michael Archangel painted by Floriano Ferramola in 1528, preserved in the museum of Santa Giulia in Brescia. Although dated to the 16th century, the work still reflects the style and techniques of the Gothic period, highlighting the persistence of certain artistic traditions in local productions.
Multimedia content
Images
• St Michael Archangel - Church of Sant'Angelo, Gioia del Colle
• Saint Michael Archangel - Mattia Preti (1690)
• St Michael Archangel - Ceramic painting, reproduction by Perugino
• Saint Michael Archangel - Old painting
Video
Sources
Church of San Michele (Ortignano Raggiolo) - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
St Michael Archangel (Ferramola) - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
3.3.7 - Renaissance persistences and reworkings
• Humanistic reworking of traditional iconography
During the Renaissance, the iconography of Saint Michael the Archangel underwent a significant transformation, influenced by humanism and the rediscovery of classical antiquity. Representations of the Archangel were enriched with symbolic and allegorical elements, reflecting a more rational and harmonious vision of the divine. For example, in Michelangelo's 'Last Judgement' in the Sistine Chapel, St Michael is depicted with a classical monumentality, embodying the ideal of beauty and strength typical of Renaissance art.
The revival of the apocalyptic theme and judgement
The theme of the Last Judgement, already present in medieval art, was taken up and reinterpreted by Renaissance artists. Michelangelo, in his Sistine Chapel fresco, offers a dramatic and intense vision of the Last Judgement, with St Michael playing a central role in separating the blessed from the damned. Similarly, Fra Bartolomeo, in his 'Last Judgement' in the Museo di San Marco in Florence, depicts the Archangel with a majesty that reflects the spirituality and emotional tension of the period.
Interaction between painting, architecture and sculptural decoration
In the Renaissance, sacred art is characterised by the harmonious integration of painting, architecture and sculpture. St Michael is represented not only in frescoes and paintings, but also in sculptures and architectural decorations. A significant example is the statue of St Michael by
Andrea Ferrucci, combining formal elegance and spiritual depth, typical of Renaissance aesthetics.
Multimedia content
Images
• Last Judgement - Michelangelo Buonarroti (1536-1541), Sistine Chapel, City
• Saint Michael Archangel - Pellegrino Tibaldi, fresco in the Sala Paolina, Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
• St Michael Archangel - Andrea Ferrucci, marble sculpture
• Last Judgement - Fra Bartolomeo and Mariotto Albertinelli (1499-1501), Museum of
San Marco, Florence
Video
Sources
Last Judgement (Michelangelo) - Cathopedia
Last Judgement - Artwork Rome - Art.it
Last Judgement (Fra Bartolomeo) - WikipediaWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
St Michael Archangel in the History of European Sculpture - State PoliceStatePolice