Who painted Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels?

Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels was painted by Gregorio De Ferrari in 1682.

Where can I see Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels?

Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels?

Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels

Gregorio De Ferrari , 1682

Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Gregorio De Ferrari. It dates from 1682 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gregorio De Ferrari’s drawing Saint Michael and the Rebel Angels, executed around 1682, is a pen and brown‑ink composition on gray‑green paper. The work incorporates brushwork, brown wash, and highlights of white applied over preliminary black‑chalk sketches, creating a layered, atmospheric effect.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays the archangel Michael in the act of confronting the fallen angels. Michael raises his right arm while gripping a sword in his left, embodying divine authority. Surrounding figures, rendered in varied poses, suggest the tumult of the celestial battle between heavenly and rebellious forces.

Technique & Style

De Ferrari employs a dynamic combination of pen lines and ink washes, allowing the figures to emerge from swirling cloud forms. The contrast between deep brown tones and bright white highlights enhances the sense of movement, reflecting the dramatic intensity characteristic of late‑Baroque drawing.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1680s, the drawing entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is currently conserved. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but it represents a rare example of De Ferrari’s preparatory work for larger compositions.

Context

During the Baroque era, religious subjects such as the triumph of Saint Michael over demons were popular for their capacity to convey spiritual conflict through theatrical composition. De Ferrari, active in Genoa, often integrated vigorous gestures and chiaroscuro to heighten emotional impact, aligning this drawing with contemporary devotional art.