Spanish school; second half of the 16th century.

Spanish school; second half of the XVI century.
"St. Michael the Archangel.
Carved and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 92 x 46 x 26 cm.
Devotional sculpture representing the Archangel St. Michael made of carved and polychrome wood, belonging to the Spanish school of the second half of the sixteenth century. The figure is shown in full action, at the culminating moment of the heavenly victory: the archangel, with a serene face and restrained gesture, appears erect with elegant verticality while he firmly crushes the demon that lies defeated under his feet. His stylized anatomy, the outstretched wings and the movement of his mantle create a composition of great dynamism that leads the viewer's gaze to the gesture of the hand, which probably originally held a sword or spear, completing the triumphal sense of the scene.
The treatment of the carving reveals a profound technical mastery. The polychrome, with its subtle alternation of gold and warm tones, highlights the folds of the clothing and gives the figure an almost supernatural glow. The details of the breastplate, cloak and hair show the meticulousness characteristic of Spanish sculpture of this period, which sought a balance between realism and spirituality.
The Spanish school of the second half of the 16th century was distinguished by its search for expressive intensity and its close link with the spirituality promoted by the Counter-Reformation. These sculptures not only had an aesthetic value, but also fulfilled a catechetical function, inviting the viewer to meditate on the triumph of good over evil. The quality of the carving in this work, together with the narrative force of the scene, makes it an eloquent example of the role that polychrome sculpture played in the consolidation of Hispanic devotional art of the time.