The Mass of Saint Michael 

"The Mass of Saint Michael" was created by the Limbourg brothers, likely in the early 15th century, as a hand painted page in a book of hours. The depiction of Saint Michael slaying the dragon speaks to the medieval preoccupation with the battle between good and evil, framing it as a cosmic struggle with tangible, earthly consequences. The art is situated in a time when the Church held significant political and cultural sway. The artists, who came from a region that was struck by plague, depict the Biblical story within a recognizable, contemporary setting. Mont Saint-Michel, in Normandy, is a place but also a metaphor for resilience and faith in the face of adversity. This piece invites reflection on how we construct narratives of power, looking at how the sacred and the secular intertwine. The Limbourg brothers may ask, how do faith and power intersect and influence our perceptions of self and community? The painting serves as a reminder of our ongoing negotiation between belief and lived experience.