Archangel Michael Saving Souls from Hades (Primary Title)

This large painting depicts the Archangel Michael, who is referenced in the book of Revelations, chapter 12, of the Bible as the leader of an army of angels who will battle Satan. With sword drawn, standing frontally atop the scene of Hell, the imposing figure convincingly portrays Michael’s commanding role as the defender of humanity from the forces of evil. A 4th-century discourse on the Archangel by the Coptic Pope Timothy describes how the Archangel Michael dipped his wings into Hell’s “lake of fire” three times, allowing struggling souls to cling to him, thus delivering them from everlasting punishment. In the painting, multiple heads peering from behind the Archangel’s wings suggest this miraculous rescue of tortured souls, who present a stark contrast to those suffering flames and cruel treatment below. Two small figures at Michael’s feet reach up to grab the bottom of his robes, as if clinging to him to escape the ravages of Hell. Male and female, this pair likely represents Adam and Eve. A third figure at the left edge of the canvas is enigmatic but might represent the painting’s donor. Together, these three figures dramatically counterbalance the lines of people below entering the corridors of the underworld.

In an Ethiopian church, large images of archangels guarded the innermost sanctuary, the maqdas, a space restricted to officiating priests where the tabot, the precious symbol of the Ark of the Covenant, was kept. This painting would have been affixed to one of the two large doors leading to the maqdas from the qeddest, the space for nonofficiating priests and other worshippers taking communion. Another image of an archangel would have surmounted the second door, making a very imposing pair to guard the central shrine.