De Heilige Michaël bewaakt de hemelpoort 1621 - 1671

Jacob van Oost created this engraving of Saint Michael guarding the gates of Heaven. Dominating the scene is Michael, clad in armor, standing triumphantly over a serpentine demon—a symbol of evil and chaos. His shield bears the sacred Hebrew name of God, a potent emblem of divine power. This motif of the warrior saint defeating a serpent echoes ancient Mesopotamian images of gods battling chaos monsters. Consider the dragon slain by Saint George; we see this symbol of triumph over darkness repeatedly throughout art history. The act of overcoming primordial chaos is rooted deeply in the human psyche. It represents the eternal struggle between order and disorder, hope and despair. The artist uses a powerful force engaging us on a subconscious level, as a source of reassurance in the face of life's trials. Thus, the symbol of divine victory resurfaces, each time adapting, yet preserving its core message of hope.