St. Michael Overwhelming the Demon - Raphael
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A classic High Renaissance composition by Raphael, depicting the Archangel Michael in a moment of divine victory over the forces of darkness.
Commissioned by Pope Leo X as a gift for King Francis I of France, this work depicts the Archangel Michael in the act of subduing the devil. Raphael presents the figure of Michael with a sense of controlled motion, his body poised in a graceful contrapposto as he prepares to strike with his spear. The composition balances the celestial authority of the angel against the chaotic, shadowed form of the demon beneath his feet.
The painting demonstrates the technical precision characteristic of Raphael's later period. The anatomy of the figures is rendered with clarity, while the drapery of the angel's garments suggests movement through light and shadow. The colour palette remains grounded in earthy tones, with the exception of the subtle blues and the metallic sheen of the armour, which catch the light to define the form. The background features a desolate, rocky terrain that provides a stark contrast to the divine presence of the central figure.
Raphael utilised a sophisticated approach to spatial organisation, ensuring the viewer's eye is drawn immediately to the interaction between the two figures. The work reflects the artistic priorities of the Roman High Renaissance, where balance and anatomical accuracy were primary concerns. The demon, depicted with contorted limbs and dark, leathery wings, serves as a foil to the serene, almost detached expression on the face of the Archangel. This painting remains a clear example of the artist's ability to manage complex narrative subjects with a disciplined hand, maintaining a sense of order even within a scene of conflict.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
St. Michael Overwhelming the Demon - Raphael
Artist Biography
Raphael
He was born in Urbino, the son of a painter. His father died when he was eleven, and by his teens he was already working in the studio of Perugino, whose smooth, symmetrical compositions gave Raphael his starting point. He surpassed Perugino quickly. He studied Leonardo's sfumato and Michelangelo's anatomical intensity and absorbed both without losing his own clarity. The Madonnas from his Florentine period (the Madonna of the Goldfinch, the Sistine Madonna) have a serene perfection that has been imitated for five hundred years and never matched.
Pope Julius II summoned him to Rome in 1508, the same year he commissioned Michelangelo for the Sistine ceiling. Raphael painted the Stanze della Segnatura: four rooms in the Vatican whose frescoes include The School of Athens, the single most famous image of classical philosophy. Plato and Aristotle walk through an ideal architecture surrounded by every major thinker of the ancient world. Raphael painted Michelangelo into the scene as Heraclitus, brooding alone on the steps. Michelangelo was furious.
He ran a large workshop that produced portraits, altarpieces, tapestry designs, and architectural plans. He was appointed architect of St Peter's Basilica. He was charming, diplomatic, and universally liked, which made Michelangelo dislike him even more.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like