Lombard painter of the 17th centurySaint Michael the Archangel Oil on canvas 139 x 75 cm. - Framed 156 x 91 cm Antique painting of Saint Michael the Archangel, immortalized as a full-length figure like a youth of ethereal beauty, strong and delicate at the same time, who with his large wings is dressed in a sparkling armor, to indicate his role as prince of the Celestial Militia, and a shield decorated with grotesques. We see depicted two of his quintessential symbols, the sword with which he defeated the rebellious Angel, lying at his feet now subdued, and the scales with which he weighs souls before their final Judgment. This is a fascinating painting by a painter of Lombard origin active in the 17th century, inspired in its execution by the Polyptych of the Certosa di 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, dating back to 1499, and was developed on two registers: above the Eternal Father (still in place), 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 story of this work is interesting, because 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, to be finally sold in 1856 to the National Gallery in London, where it still is. The only cyma with the Eternal Father remained in place, while the missing panels were replaced by seventeenth-century copies on canvases. These copies differ in part from the originals of Perugino, due to the absence of landscape setting (the figures are almost immersed in darkness) and the pictorial style, with the chiaroscuro passages interpreted in the Leonardesque manner, and the darkening of the armor of Saint Michael. Our canvas is inspired precisely by these versions, made to replace the originals of Perugino (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 di Pavia, Pietro Vannucci known as Perugino (ca.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 Please note: Good storage conditions. The canvas in the photo is illuminated by artificial lights of the gallery to make online consultation more readable, but in reality it is darker. If in doubt contact the gallery, we will be happy to send you some additional images. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is completed by a pleasant golden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery of Riva del Garda, we will be glad 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/