Artwork
Saint Michael
Saint Michael is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Israhel van Meckenem. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Michael is an engraving on laid paper created by Israhel van Meckenem around 1475. The work exemplifies the religious genre prevalent in Northern European art during the fifteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the archangel Michael, a common Christian subject, standing victorious over a defeated devil. Michael is portrayed as a winged, long-haired figure in armor, holding a raised sword. The devil is shown with horns, a long tail, and in distress. Flowers and leaves in the foreground contrast with the conflict, underscoring a theme of triumph.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the piece showcases Meckenem's proficiency in this medium. While specific stylistic innovations are not highlighted in the available details, the work's composition reflects the traditional representation of Saint Michael in Christian art, with the addition of natural elements in the foreground.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1475 by Israhel van Meckenem, a prolific German printmaker and goldsmith (active 1465-1503), this engraving is part of his extensive oeuvre of over 620 prints, many of which were reproductions of existing works, significantly influencing early Northern European print culture.
Context
Saint Michael reflects the religious themes dominant in fifteenth-century Northern European art. Meckenem's practice of engraving existing designs contributed to the widespread dissemination of religious imagery during this period.
Legacy
As part of Meckenem's vast and influential body of work, Saint Michael represents the artist's role in popularizing religious subjects through engraving, though the piece itself does not stand out as a seminal work in the broader art historical narrative beyond its contribution to the volume of Northern European prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
