Archangel Michael

This powerful sculpture embodies a central motif of Christian iconography: the victory of good over evil. The Archangel Michael stands in a determined posture with his right foot on the devil's back. With both hands, he points a spear at the chest of the winged demon, who has been flung backwards onto a rock and dramatically turns his horned head towards the conqueror.

The artistic juxtaposition of the two figures is particularly impressive: the devil - personified as a “twister” - shows a distorted face and an unnaturally turned head, an expression of hatred, chaos and inner resistance. In contrast, the archangel Michael radiates serenity and sublimity. His gesture is firm but not cruel - it symbolizes justice, not revenge.

This depiction is a masterful realization of the theme, both theologically and artistically. It conveys a spiritual and aesthetic timelessness that extends far beyond the historical context in which it was created.

This statue was produced by the RAFFL foundry and is listed in the foundry’s catalog No. 59. It follows the model of the painting "St. Michael Defeating the Devil," painted by Raphael in 1518, which is preserved in the Louvre Museum.