Artwork
Archangel Michael
Archangel Michael is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Dimosthenis Kokkinidis. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Athens School of Fine Arts.
About this work
Overview
Dimosthenis Kokkinidis painted the work titled Archangel Michael in 1958. The oil on canvas is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among the institution’s 20th‑century holdings. The composition centers on a solemn, armored figure crowned with a golden halo, conveying a traditional religious iconography through a modern painterly approach.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure represents the archangel Michael, a protector in Christian tradition. He is depicted with a shield bearing a simple cross, a symbol of his role as a defender of faith. The calm yet resolute expression suggests both spiritual authority and martial readiness, aligning with the saint’s mythic function as a celestial warrior.
Technique & Style
Kokkinidis employs a pronounced impasto technique, laying thick layers of paint especially on the face, robe, and armor. This tactile application creates a textured surface that catches light, emphasizing the figure’s physical presence. Broad, confident brushstrokes lend the work a slightly unfinished, vigorous quality, contrasting with the smooth halo and cross details.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1950s, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection shortly after its completion, though exact acquisition details remain modestly documented. Its presence in the museum reflects a broader interest in mid‑century Greek artists who engaged with religious subjects using contemporary visual strategies.
Context
The 1950s in Greece saw a resurgence of interest in national and religious identity following World War II and the civil war. Kokkinidis’s choice of a traditional saint rendered with modern, expressive brushwork mirrors this cultural climate, bridging historic iconography with post‑war artistic experimentation.
