The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Peter Paul Rubens was created in 1621/22 and is in Alte Pinakothek München. The size of the work is 438 x 291,5 cm and is made of oil on canvas.
About the Artwork
The Archangel Saint 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 defence. 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.