The artwork “The Archangel Michael defeating Satan” by Guido Reni was created in 1635. This oil on canvas measures 202 by 293 cm and can be classified within the Baroque movement. The genre of the painting is religious, and it is located at Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in Rome, Italy. The artwork embodies the dramatic intensity and dynamic movement typical of the Baroque period.
In the artwork, the Archangel Michael is depicted in the act of defeating Satan. Michael is portrayed as a figure of youthful, ethereal beauty, with his face turned away from the fallen antagonist, signifying his divine nature and the contempt for evil. His body is gracefully positioned, hovering above the ground, emphasizing the otherworldly strength and elegance that the archangel possesses. Decked in armor that gleams against the contrasting dark background, Michael wields a sword, symbolic of justice and divine power, while his other hand firmly grasps the chains that bind Satan.
The figure of Satan is represented with dramatic realism, embodying the physicality and torment of his defeat. His muscular form sprawls on the rocks below Michael, with an expression of agony and despair on his face, adding a human-like dimension to the depiction of the fallen angel. The dramatic play of light and shadow enhances the tension and theatricality of the scene, allowing the viewer to almost feel the conflict taking place. The contrast between the light, almost ethereal quality of Michael and the dark, grounded form of Satan illustrates the moral dichotomy between good and evil captured by Reni in this iconic Baroque masterpiece.