Who painted Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan?

Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan was painted by Johann Georg Bergmüller in 1730.

Where can I see Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan?

Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan?

Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan

Johann Georg Bergmüller , 1730

Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Johann Georg Bergmüller. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand, upper left verso in ink: I v 40; by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: Lugt 2343?; by later hand, center verso in graphite: J. G. Bergmüller; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: GGBC / Lugt 414 b; by later hand, lower center verso: 4002; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: G.L. Bernini / 1599 - 1652

About this work

The painting is titled Saint Michael Defeating Heresy and Satan. It was created in 1730 by Johann Georg Bergmüller. The artist used a range of mediums, including pen and brown ink, to create the work.

The painting is part of the Baroque movement, which was known for its dramatic and detailed style. You can learn more about this style by exploring the movement: Baroque.

Overview

Created in 1730, this drawing by Johann Georg Bergmüller depicts Saint Michael in the act of overcoming both heresy and the devil. Executed on blue laid paper, the work combines pen work, brown ink, a brown wash, and white heightening to articulate the dramatic confrontation.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the archangel Michael, traditionally the celestial champion of orthodoxy, shown triumphing over the personified forces of heretical belief and Satan. The imagery underscores the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on doctrinal purity and the triumph of the Catholic Church over dissent.

Technique & Style

Bergmüller employed a layered approach: fine pen lines define the figures, while brown ink and a subtle brown wash build atmospheric depth. White heightening accentuates highlights, and the verso bears red chalk sketches and incised lines used for transferring the design, reflecting the meticulous planning typical of late Baroque drawing.

History & Provenance

The drawing originates from the early eighteenth‑century workshop of Bergmüller, a prominent Bavarian painter of the Baroque period. Its provenance traces through private collections before entering a museum context, where it serves as a study for larger altar pieces on similar themes.

Context

Produced during the height of the Baroque era, the work aligns with the period’s penchant for dynamic movement, stark contrasts, and theological narrative. Saint Michael was a favored subject for illustrating the Church’s spiritual authority, especially in regions confronting Protestant reform movements.