De Heilige Michaël bewaakt de hemelpoort 1621 - 1671

This etching, created by Jacob van Oost I between 1621 and 1671, depicts the archangel Michael defeating the Devil. The scene is set in the heavens, with clouds surrounding the figures. Michael, a powerful angel in armor, stands triumphantly over the fallen Devil, who is depicted as a serpentine creature. Michael holds a shield emblazoned with a symbol, possibly a Hebrew inscription, and his raised right arm implies a gesture of victory. This dynamic composition emphasizes the dramatic clash between good and evil, reflecting a popular theme in religious art of the Baroque era.