This image in the suffrages of the saints depicts a sublimely elegant Archangel Michael with long hair (slightly more androgynous but in keeping with the fashion of the late 15th century) and wearing plate armour. He plunges the spear topped by a cross in his right hand into an unpleasantly coloured devil, a bird-bat-human hybrid with a monstrous face on its belly. The buckler in his left hand is trimmed with lots of sapphires, rubies and pairs of pearls and has a golden protuberance emanating beams of light representing the power of God. This miniature is inspired by images of a king defeating his enemies. The suffrage begs the archangel’s intercession to free the soul of the book of hours’ owner from the clutches of the devil and take him to heaven when he dies.
This image in the suffrages of the saints depicts a sublimely elegant Archangel Michael with long hair (slightly more androgynous but in keeping with the fashion of the late 15th century) and wearing plate armour. He plunges the spear topped by a cross in his right hand into an unpleasantly coloured devil, a bird-bat-human hybrid with a monstrous face on its belly. The buckler in his left hand is trimmed with lots of sapphires, rubies and pairs of pearls and has a golden protuberance emanating beams of light representing the power of God. This miniature is inspired by images of a king defeating his enemies. The suffrage begs the archangel’s intercession to free the soul of the book of hours’ owner from the clutches of the devil and take him to heaven when he dies.
Cookie preferences
We use cookies and third-party cookies to improve our services by analyzing your browsing habits. For more information you can read our cookie policy. You can accept all cookies by clicking the Accept button or configure or reject their use by clicking HERE.
