Figure of the Archangel Michael

The wooden Baroque sculpture of the Archangel Michael represents the image of a heavenly warrior, combining religious symbolism with dynamic plasticity. The saint is presented at a moment of active movement: the contrapposto figure of the warrior stands upon the vanquished evil power. The bend of the body forms a distinct diagonal composition, imparting a sense of flight, energy, and inner tension. The figure of Michael with outspread wings serves as the central compositional accent. The large wings are modelled decoratively, where each individual feather is rendered with sharp, rhythmic lines that create a sense of motion and emphasise the horizontal axis. The saint's head is crowned with a smooth helmet featuring three high, curled feathers, which highlight the military status of the archangel. The youthful face is treated in a generalised and soft manner.
The archangel is dressed in knightly armour over a short tunic. Certain details of the image – the armour, helmet, and shield – function as symbolic attributes, since in the saint's iconography they are associated with his mission as the heavenly commander and defender of the Christian faith. An important element of the composition is the defeated dragon located beneath the warrior's feet. Its small, somewhat fantastical form contrasts with the vertical figure of Michael, the vanquisher of the forces of evil. The saint dominates the dragon not only physically but also compositionally, creating a clear vertical axis between the heavenly and the earthly realms.
The artistic solution of the sculpture combines the frontality of sacred art with Baroque dynamics of movement. The widely outspread wings, expressively bent legs, and the curve of the body form a complex silhouette designed to be viewed from various angles. The image is not static; it captures the precise moment of victory when the enemy has been overcome. The sculptural piece is characterised by an expressive sacred plasticity with a poignant Baroque dynamism and decorative treatment of details.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery