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 (731 items)

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Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Juan Gris drawing), late 1960s, collage on masonite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 2002.58.20
Untitled (Juan Gris drawing)
Artist
Datelate 1960s
collage on masonite
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Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), n.d., drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.408
Untitled (Rorschach drawing)
Artist
Daten.d.
drawing
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Bonjour M. Balzac (Peau de Chagrin), 1971, collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.309
Bonjour M. Balzac (Peau de Chagrin)
Artist
Date1971
collage
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds), 1969-1971, collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.297
Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds)
Artist
Date1969-1971
collage
Not on view

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