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Archangel Michael
Portuguese workshop
Second half of 18th century
Sculpture in gessoed wood,
polychrome and gilded
31 cm (H) x 13 cm (W) x 13 cm (D)
From the Carmo Church
MASF
This St. Michael is part of a set of other archangels, which was originally in the Carmo Church in Funchal. They are placed in carved shrines of fine woodworking, on a base with shell-shaped feet and edges wrought in volutes under a cupola that ends in a button or a flame shape. With a broad gesture of Baroque staging, the Archangel balances himself on the clouds, making a sinuous "S" with his body. His wings open, he holds his staff in his raised right hand, and in his left, the scales for weighing souls.
It must belong to a mid-century Portuguese workshop, similar to the models of the figures for nativity scenes of the same time, with an extraordinary sense of modelling and beauty in the flesh and the painting of the draped clothing.
It was present at the Exposição de Esculturas Religiosas no Convento de Santa Clara do Funchal, in 1954 and at the Exposição Jesus Cristo, Ontem, Hoje e Sempre, in 2002. |
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