Saint Michael with Lucifer
1558
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1558
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint Michael with Lucifer is a 1558 chalk by Giuseppe Porta, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a muscular man with wings standing over a twisted, snarling figure on the ground. The winged man holds a long spear pointed down, while the other figure looks up with a mix of fear and pain. Both are drawn in quick, sketchy lines with light brown ink, giving them a rough, almost unfinished look. The artist used simple shapes and strong contrasts to show the struggle between the two figures. The lines are loose but full of energy, making the scene feel dramatic. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching next to see how artists build shadows with lines.
