Archangel Michael as Dragon Slayer 1692

Pieter Scheemaeckers created this sculpture of Archangel Michael as a dragon slayer in the late 17th or early 18th century. Here, Michael, the celestial warrior, stands triumphant. His foot is firmly planted on a dragon, a symbol of evil and chaos, an allegory of good’s triumph over evil, a timeless narrative etched in our collective consciousness. Observe how this motif echoes through art history. From ancient Mesopotamian depictions of gods battling serpents to classical heroes like Perseus slaying Medusa, this theme persists. Consider the serpent: once a symbol of wisdom and rebirth, it transforms into a symbol of malevolence, embodying the fears and anxieties of shifting cultures. The emotional power of this image lies in its dynamic composition. The upward thrust of Michael’s wings, the contorted body of the dragon – it is a visual representation of inner conflict. It resonates because it taps into our primal instincts, our innate desire for order and our dread of the unknown. This is more than religious iconography. It is a psycho-historical echo, reverberating through time, reminding us of our eternal struggle.