Saint Michael the Archangel, Antonio Maria Viani (Cremona, c. 1550 - Mantua, c. 1635)

Antonio Maria Viani (Cremona, circa 1550 – Mantua, circa 1635) Saint Michael the Archangel Oil on canvas (78 x 61 cm - In antique frame 89 x 71 cm) On the bottom, traces of ancient inscription with the acronym DCAI, a Greek abbreviation referring to the divine attributes of the Saint: D (Dikaios, the Just), C (Custos, guardian/protector of the Church), Α (Archangelus) and I (Invictus or warrior never defeated). Full details of the painting (click here) This image of Saint Michael the Archangel is evocative, depicted with wings spread wearing his armor, his right hand wielding the flaming sword while the other holds a staff to which a scale is hung, on which the souls are placed, and which he will use to evaluate merits and sins. It is therefore an extremely fascinating subject, extrapolated from the theme of the Last Judgment and precisely from 'psychostasia', or the phase of weighing the souls by Saint Michael: according to the book of Revelation, he had the power to examine souls before the final judgment, choosing the elect for the ascent to heaven and the damned for the fall into hell. The canvas is a precious testimony of the Lombard painting school between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, attributable to the hand of the Cremonese painter Antonio Maria Viani (Cremona, 1550 – Mantua, 1635): our subject is specifically extrapolated from the splendid work entitled 'The Trinity with the Last Judgement' conceived by Viani himself and then made famous by the engraving by Jan Sadeler (https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/fotografia/168116/) (Ref.1) Our canvas is therefore a derivation of the large composition, from which the figure of Saint Michael has been extrapolated to make him the unique subject. Two versions of the entire composition made by Viani are known, one in Naples at the Monumental Complex of the Girolamini (Ref.2 - oil on copper, 49.5x36 cm.), the other at the Stuard Art Gallery in Parma (Ref.3 - oil on canvas, 59 x 48 cm., https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=204916). This last canvas, regarding the pictorial style, is very similar to our Saint Michael: we can detect the same formal elegance and the strong inclination towards Mannerism, even on a chromatic level, typical of Viani, matured initially in Cremona, his hometown, under the teachings of Giulio Campi and consolidated during his stay at the court of Munich of Bavaria, in the service of Duke William V. During his period in Bavaria, his style absorbed elements from the taste of Nordic artists such as Friedrich Sustris and Peter de Witte, integrating the Italian tradition with a search for scenographic effects typical of European courts.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work sold is completed by a pleasant antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any further information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/