Cleveland Museum of Art

Saint Michael the Archangel

Date

c. 1280

Medium

fossiliferous limestone

Culture

Eastern France, Lorraine, 13th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Archangel Michael is shown here in his traditional role as the protector of souls who escorts the good into heaven. Though damaged, he holds the remnants of a small figure representing a human soul within his right arm. At his feet, the vanquished dragon symbolizes the saint’s defeat of evil in his struggle with the devil. This sculpture is believed to come from the cloister of the former Benedictine monastery of St.-Mihiel (dedicated to Saint Michael) in eastern France, near Verdun. Much of this abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution.

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