Saint Michael the Archangel, Lombard painter of the 17th century

Lombard painter of the 17th century Saint Michael the Archangel Oil on canvas 139 x 75 cm. - In frame 156 x 91 cm. Ancient painting of Saint Michael the Archangel, depicted full-length as a youth of ethereal beauty, strong and delicate at the same time, with large wings and dressed in shining armor, to indicate his role as prince of the celestial militias, and a shield decorated with grotesques. We see depicted two of his ultimate symbols: the sword with which he defeated the rebellious Angel, now subdued at his feet, and the scales with which he weighs souls before their final Judgment. This is a fascinating painting by a Lombard painter active in the 17th century, inspired in its execution by the Polyptych of the Certosa of Pavia, commissioned by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, for the altar of the second chapel on the left, dedicated to Saint Michael. The original work was executed by Pietro Perugino, dated 1499, and was arranged on two registers: above, the Eternal Father (still in situ), below, the three panels with Saint Michael the Archangel (on the left), the Adoration of the Child (in the center), and Saint Raphael and Tobias (on the right) (1). The history of this work is interesting: due to the suppression of the Carthusian order in 1782, it was purchased by Count Giacomo Melzi d'Eril and ended up in his collection, before finally being sold in 1856 to the National Gallery of London, where it is still located. Only the pinnacle with the Eternal Father remained in situ, while the missing panels were replaced by copies on 17th-century canvases. These copies differ partly from Perugino's originals, due to the absence of landscape settings (the figures are almost immersed in darkness) and the painting style, with chiaroscuro passages interpreted in the Leonardesque manner, and the darkening of Saint Michael's armor. Our canvas is inspired precisely by these versions, created to replace Perugino's originals (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0300702290-4), which critics attribute with great probability to the painter Giacomo Antonio Santagostino (1588-1640). (1) Museum of the Certosa of Pavia, Pietro Vannucci called Perugino (c.1450/1524) Link: http://www.museo.certosadipavia.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/23/capolavori-della-chiesa-di-santa-maria-delle-grazie/21/17-polittico-di-perugino Note: Good condition. The canvas in the photo is illuminated by artificial gallery lights to make it more readable online, but in reality, it is darker. In case of doubt, contact the gallery; we will be happy to send you some additional images. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is completed by a pleasant gilded frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery; we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/