Archangel Michael 1477

Carlo Crivelli made this panel painting of Archangel Michael in the second half of the fifteenth century. In it we see Michael as a warrior, standing over a defeated foe. Let’s consider how this image creates meaning through cultural and historical associations. It was made in Italy during the Renaissance, a period in which the Catholic Church was the single most powerful political force in Europe. Paintings depicting religious figures served a vital public role in communicating the values of the Church, and inspiring people to remain faithful. The Archangel Michael symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. But who decided how ‘good’ and ‘evil’ should be defined? The imagery we see here wasn’t neutral or objective. Rather, it reflects the power structures of the time. As historians, we can learn to look critically at the image, research its origins, and reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.