01 Work, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation the bible, Neapolitan master's ARCHANGEL MICHAEL FIGHTING THE DEVILS OF THE UNDERWORLD, with Footnotes - 124

Neapolitan master of the 17th century

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL FIGHTING THE DEVILS OF THE UNDERWORLD
Oil on canvas. 
94 x 70 cm.
Private collection

Extremely complicated composition, with figures moving in opposite directions. In the color and the reproduction of the physical, the strong influence of Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640) can be seen, with whom he had worked together at the festive decoration in Ghent. All these stylistic aspects suggest the attribution. So too, this painting is characterized by a turbulent concentration of bodies - here hellish figures - against which the youthfully heroically portrayed Saint Michael fights. His movement from top left to bottom right, corresponding to the light incidence in the picture. His outstretched right arm holding the flaming sword, the left the round shield. It is striking here that the male figure, which is at the top of a dragon, has almost portraited facial features, which gives reason to suppose that this is an allegory of the victory over a fallen opponent. The barb in the right hand of the fallen is an attribute of the Greek Hades, ruler of the underworld. More on this painting

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions, he is called "Saint Michael the Archangel" and "Saint Michael". In the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox traditions, he is called "Taxiarch Archangel Michael" or simply "Archangel Michael".

Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a "great prince who stands up for the children of your people". The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent that, in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people, Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy.

In the New Testament Michael leads God's armies against Satan's forces in the Book of Revelation, where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan. In the Epistle of Jude Michael is specifically referred to as "the archangel Michael". Christian sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches. Over time, teachings on Michael began to vary among Christian denominations. More Archangel Michael

The 17th century sparked a golden age for art in Naples. It was a period of extraordinary achievement in painting characterized by a level of originality and quality that placed Naples at the centre of international artistic taste. An almost continuous quantity of remarkable artistic accomplishments in Naples at this time left an indelible imprint on the history of European art. Such artists as Artemisia Gentileschi, Francesco Solimena, Luca Giordano, Francesco Guarino, Mico Spadaro, Salvatore Rosa, Jusepe De Ribera and more. The paintings depict religious and secular subjects, still life, portraiture, and 17th century city life in Naples, including the ravages of rebellion and plague, and moments of great triumph. More on the Neapolitan masters

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01 Works, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation the bible, With Footnotes - 115

SAINT RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Wood carved, gilded, lacquered and polychrome, with glass eyes

The niche is decorated with scrolls and plant motifs

MEXICO, 20th CENTURY

Arcángel: 79 cm in height. 

Niche: 147 x 70 x 24 cm

Private collection

Raphael is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Raphael performs all manners of healing according to all Abrahamic religions.

Medieval French rabbi Rashi views Raphael as being one of the three angels that appeared to Abraham in the oak grove of Mamre in the Book of Genesis. Raphael is also mentioned in the Book of Enoch alongside archangels Michael, Gabriel and Uriel.

Raphael is generally associated with the angel mentioned in the Gospel of John as stirring the water at the healing pool of Bethesda. Raphael is also an angel in Mormonism, as he is briefly mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants. Raphael is also mentioned in the Book of Tobit, which is accepted as canonical by some Catholics, Orthodox, and some Anglo-Catholics. Raphael is a venerated angel within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions, and he is often given the title "Saint Raphael".


In Islam, Raphael is the fourth major angel; and in the Muslim tradition, he is known as Israfil. Within Islamic eschatology, Israfil is traditionally attributed to a trumpet, which is poised at his lips, and when God so commands he shall be ready to announce the Day of Resurrection. More on Raphael

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, and The Canals of Venice

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I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

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01 Works, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation of the Bible!, With Footnotes - 95

Giovanni Biliverti, (1585–1644)

The Archangel Raphael Refusing Tobias's Gift, c. 1612

Oil on canvas

Height: 175 cm (68.9 in). Width: 146 cm (57.5 in).

Pitti Palace

The subject comes from the Book of Tobit , one of the Apocryphal books in the Old Testament, and shows the final scene in the story of how Tobit, a blind old man, was healed by the gall of a fish. This fish had been caught by his son Tobias on the orders of the Archangel Raphael. But Raphael presented himself to Tobit's family as a simple traveller, and the old man wished to thank him in the fullness of his joy at the return of his sight. The angel refused all the offered treasures and revealed his identity. More on this painting


In Biliverti's painting Tobias restrains the angel, pulling at the edge of his cloak, and begs him to take the treasures which they have taken out of a round bronze vessel. Full of colour, this large canvas reveals the artist's skill at painting texture - the fabrics, fur and particularly the heavy gold chain with its large pearls.

Giovanni Biliverti,  (Florence, 25 August 1585 – Florence, 16 July 1644) was an Italian painter of the late-Mannerism and early-Baroque period, active mainly in his adoptive city of Florence, as well as Rome. Biliverti was born as Jan Bilevelt. After his father’s death in 1603, Giovanni worked in the studio of Lodovico Cigoli, following him in April 1604 till 1607 to Rome. There he worked in projects approved by Pope Clement VIII.

In 1609 Bilivert joined the Medici-sponsored guild of artists, the Accademia del Disegno in Florence. Bilivert was employed by Cosimo II de' Medici from 1611 until 1621, as a designer for works in pietra durai. Late in life, he became blind. Among his pupils were Cecco Bravo, Agostino Melissi, Baccio del Bianco, and Orazio Fidani. He painted a Hagar in the Desert once in the Hermitage and a Christ and the Samaritan Woman once in the Belvedere in Vienna. More on Giovanni Biliverti

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