Who painted Archangel Michael?

Archangel Michael was painted by Fyodor Bryullov in 1849.

Where can I see Archangel Michael?

Archangel Michael is held by Hermitage Museum.

Artwork

Archangel Michael

Archangel Michael is an oil painting by Fyodor Bryullov. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1849 by Russian painter Fyodor Bryullov, this oil on canvas portrays the biblical Archangel Michael in the act of subduing Satan. The work is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, where it remains on display as a representative example of mid‑nineteenth‑century religious art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows Michael standing triumphantly over a fallen Satan, his figure dominant and poised. Michael is clad in a vivid red robe and a short blue skirt, his expansive white wings unfurled behind him, while he points a spear downward at the defeated adversary, emphasizing the victory of divine order over evil.

Technique & Style

Bryullov employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark light‑dark contrasts to model the bodies and give them a three‑dimensional presence. The gold‑toned background, adorned with an intricate ornamental pattern, enhances the dramatic tension between the illuminated angelic form and the shadowed, recumbent Satan.

History & Provenance

The painting was completed in 1849 and entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings shortly thereafter, becoming part of the museum’s extensive Russian art collection. Its accession reflects the Hermitage’s 19th‑century efforts to acquire works that illustrate the nation’s religious and artistic traditions.

Artist & collection

Artist

Fyodor Bryullov

Fyodor Bryullov (1793–1869) was an artist, born in Saint Petersburg.

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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