PLATE XIII
ARCHANGEL MICHAEL WITH SCENES OF HIS INTERVENTIONS
c. 1399, Moscow, 235.5x182 cm
CHURCH OF THE ARCHANGEL, THE KREMLlN, Moscow
This splendid work is a characteristic
example of late fourteenth century icons. It was painted as the patronal icon for
the princely burial chapel in the Moscow Kremlin. It must have been the object of
study and contemplation by the young Rublev when he was part of the team of Theophanes
the Greek painting frescoes in the same church.
In Russia there has been a long
tradition of venerating the Archangel Michael as protector of the army, leader of
the celestial battalions and defender of Christianity against the pagans. Many
churches, therefore, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries were dedicated to
him.
In this icon, the painter portrays
the Archangel with drawn sword, powerful wings and a flaming red mantle blown by
the wind. The whole figure seems to personify the divine will. The interventions
of St Michael are a recurring theme in Byzantine art, particularly in frescoes.
This work is the earliest example we have of them presented in an icon. From top
left: 1. the Trinity; 2. the celestial hosts; 3. Ezekiel's prophecy of the destruction
of Jerusalem; 4. Daniel's vision; 5. the fight for Moses’ body; 6. Jacob's Ladder; 7. the three men in the fiery furnace; 8. the Archangel appears to Joshua; 9. St Michael frees St Peter from prison; 10. the apparition of the angel in monastic habit to Pacomius the Great;
11. Jacob’s struggle with the angel;
12. destruction of Sodom: 13. the angel routs the armies of the Assyrian
king Sennacherib; 14. the Great Flood;
15. David and Uriah or the punishment
of Nebuchadnezzar; 16. Davis and Bathsheeba;
17. David's repentance; 18. the miracle of Chonae.
