Saint Michael the Archangel and the Devil

George Lopez, Saint Michael the Archangel and the Devil, ca. 1955-1956, carved aspen and Palo Duro (mountain mahogany), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.256A-H
George Lopez, Saint Michael the Archangel and the Devil, ca. 1955-1956, carved aspen and Palo Duro (mountain mahogany), 48 x 33 x 39 1⁄2 in. (122.0 x 83.8 x 100.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.256A-H

Artwork Details

Title
Saint Michael the Archangel and the Devil
Artist
Date
ca. 1955-1956
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
48 x 33 x 39 1⁄2 in. (122.0 x 83.8 x 100.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved aspen and Palo Duro (mountain mahogany)
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — weapon — sword
  • Religion — angel
  • Religion — angel — St. Michael
  • Religion — Satan
Object Number
1986.65.256A-H
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.256A-H

Artwork Description

As foretold in the book of Revelation, Saint Michael the Archangel will fight an apocalyptic battle against Satan, who will wage this last war in the form of a dragon. In this carving the artist depicts an ominous, sharp-clawed devil as part snake, part insect.

"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven."
—Revelation 12:7-8

Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006

Works by this artist (10 items)

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Joseph C. Claghorn, (Nude Woman Fixing Her Hair), n.d., steel-faced copper etching plate, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.100
(Nude Woman Fixing Her Hair)
Artist
Daten.d.
steel-faced copper etching plate
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, A Florida Park, before 1935, oil on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph C. Claghorn, 1970.320
A Florida Park
Artist
Datebefore 1935
oil on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, The United States Capitol, ca. 1930-1939, drypoint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.93
The United States Capitol
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1939
drypoint on paper
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, On Deerfield Street (Old House at Deerfield), n.d., etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.94
On Deerfield Street (Old House at Deerfield)
Artist
Daten.d.
etching on paper
Not on view

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