Archangel Michael (c. 1636) by Guido Reni. Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome. [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons.What would Christmas be without some angels? This striking painting of the Michael the Archangel is by Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni (1575-1642). In characteristic Baroque fashion, the painting is full of drama. The large figure of Michael is wearing Roman battle attire prepares to impale a tough-looking man representing Satan. Behind him is a shadowy setting with rocks in the foreground, a dragon lurking behind the Archangel, and hint of red that suggests the fires of Hell. This is certainly not the peaceful, white-garbed angel on a Hallmark card, but this classically-proportioned angel with large, grey wings and a voluminous pink cloak this would certainly look impressive on top of a Christmas tree.
A Scholarly Skater 