RaphaelItalian, 1483–1520Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan
Saint Michel
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan” now? Musée du Louvre, Salle 710, Aile Denon, Niveau 1, Paris. Yes, on view now. Checked September 26, 2026.
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Saint Michael is an oil painting by the Italian artist Raphael. Also called the Little Saint Michael to distinguish it from a larger, later treatment of the same theme, Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, it is now in the Louvre in Paris. The work depicts the Archangel Michael in combat with the demons of Hell, while the damned suffer behind him. Together with the Saint George, it represents the first of Raphael's works on martial subjects.
Details
- Accession number
- INV 608
In the catalog
Sources
- Musée du Louvre
- Image: Musée du Louvre — © 2011 GrandPalaisRmn (musée du Louvre) / Tony Querrec
In the life of Raphael
The whole life1501
In Perugino's workshop
From 1501 Raphael studied and worked in Pietro Perugino's workshop in Perugia; according to Vasari, his early works cannot be told apart from his master's. He often travelled home to Urbino, to Città di Castello and, with Pinturicchio, to Siena.
c. 1501 – c. 1502 · Workplace
Perugia
late 1504
Meets Leonardo and Michelangelo
Having moved to Florence, Raphael met Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Bartolomeo della Porta and closely studied Leonardo's sfumato. His first Florentine commission, portraits of Agnolo Doni and his wife, was painted under the clear impression of the “Mona Lisa”.
1504
Friendship with Baldassare Castiglione
In Urbino Raphael met the philosopher, writer and patron Count Baldassare Castiglione; they formed a firm friendship and correspondence, including the famous letters about the fresco “The Triumph of Galatea”.
October 1504
To Florence, to study
The mother of the next Duke of Urbino gave Raphael a letter of recommendation to the Gonfaloniere of Florence: “The bearer of this will be found to be Raphael, painter of Urbino, who, being greatly gifted in his profession has determined to spend some time in Florence to study.” She called him “a sensible and well-mannered young man”.
1507
Meets Donato Bramante
Raphael met the architect Donato Bramante, by an unproven account his relative. Bramante became his adviser and patron and later recommended him to Pope Julius II as the best candidate for work in the Vatican.
