IMG_2960
Peter Paul Rubens 1577-1640
The Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1621/22
The Archangel St. Michael, the symbolic figure of the Counter-Reformation, appears here as the guardian of the Church against the heretics who are put on a par with Protestants. His foot is firmly placed on the seven-headed dragon and he holds up his shield against it in defense. Above him, God the Father can be seen with the globe; the triangular nimbus is a reference to the Holy Trinity. The light figure that seems to blend into the heavens forms a counterpoint to the creature from Hell whose polymorphic body represents the demonic power of Satan.
IMG_2960
Peter Paul Rubens 1577-1640
The Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1621/22
The Archangel St. Michael, the symbolic figure of the Counter-Reformation, appears here as the guardian of the Church against the heretics who are put on a par with Protestants. His foot is firmly placed on the seven-headed dragon and he holds up his shield against it in defense. Above him, God the Father can be seen with the globe; the triangular nimbus is a reference to the Holy Trinity. The light figure that seems to blend into the heavens forms a counterpoint to the creature from Hell whose polymorphic body represents the demonic power of Satan.