Defend us in the day of battle: the Archangel Michael in Christian art
A paid subscribers post, a preview for an upcoming deep dive mini-course
SANCTE Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.
The image of the Archangel Michael has ancient roots, reach into the earliest centuries - and events - in Christian history. After Christ and the Theotokos, St. Michael the Archangel is near the top of the list of most depicted figures in Christian art both east and west.
This artistic presence reflects his significance in Christian belief. He's not just a heavenly warrior, but a powerful protector, a leader of angels, and a key figure in the battle between good and evil. By depicting him in art, Christians have sought to not only honour him but also to visually embody the heavenly battles and divine justice he represents.
Byzantine icons typically portray him with stern features and large wings, often trampling a serpent, representing Satan. In Western art, he might be a knight in shining armour or even carry the instruments of Christ's crucifixion. Beyond the warrior, Michael is also depicted as a weigher of souls, symbolizing his role in the Last Judgement. Whether wielding a sword or balancing scales, Michael's artistic legacy reflects his multifaceted nature as a protector, defender, and symbol of divine justice.
This post is for paid members. If you’d like to join us in our investigation of the history of this remarkable Christian image, you can subscribe here.
The Sacred Images Project is a reader-supported publication where we talk about Christian life, thought, history and culture through the lens of the first 1200 years of sacred art.
You can subscribe for free to get one and a half posts a week. For $9/month you get a weekly in-depth article on this great sacred patrimony, plus extras like downloads, photos, videos and podcasts (in the works), as well as voiceovers of the articles, so you can cut back on screen time.
If you’d like to see more of my painting and drawing work, and maybe order a print or other item you can find it here:
If you’d like to set up a monthly patronage for an amount of your choice, you can do that here. If you sign up for more than $9/month, you get a complimentary paid subscription to the Sacred Images Project.
Lots more behind the big green door. Join us!
