Saint Michael and the Bull
1650
oil
canvas
From the collection of Denver Art Museum
1650
oil
canvas
From the collection of Denver Art Museum
Saint Michael and the Bull is a 1650 oil by Sebastián López de Arteaga, a Spanish Baroque Tenebrist work, held at Denver Art Museum.
The painting depicts a dramatic scene with Saint Michael standing tall, his wings spread wide. He wears a flowing red cape and a blue tunic, grasping a spear in his right hand. Below him, a bull lies on the ground, while two men in the foreground appear to be in conversation. In the background, a rocky landscape stretches out, with a few figures visible in the distance. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of tension and drama, with Saint Michael's powerful pose dominating the scene. The use of chiaroscuro in the painting adds depth and contrast, highlighting the figures and their emotions. To learn more about this technique, explore the art of chiaroscuro.
Sebastián López de Arteaga (1610–1656) was an artist, born in Seville.
See the richer artist page
