Exceptionally Fine Archangel St. Michael subduing the Devil, Viceregal colonial school of Quito, Ecuador, mid - ...

Exceptionally Fine Archangel St. Michael subduing the Devil, Viceregal colonial school of Quito, Ecuador, mid - 17th century
Exceptional and new to the market sculptural group carving in polychromed and gold-gilt tropical wood, with ebonized wood base. The present work, unpublished and new to the auction and art market, stands out for the meticulousness in its details and its vivid gilding and colors, so characteristic of the Quito School, we can observe, in the upper plane, the Archangel Saint Michael holding with his right hand a sword and a shield with his left hand in which we appreciate the legend Q.C.D (Who Like God) in clear allusion to the figure of this Archangel as a symbol against heresy and idolatry in the New World. Meanwhile, his gaze is focused on the ground, addressing the Evil One, on which his left foot rests. In New Spain his devotion became widespread and his figure was used by the Catholic Church as a symbol against idolatry and polytheism of some indigenous cultures; he was also associated with evangelization and was taken as patron of languages from the time of the first Spanish settlements in America. Meanwhile, his gaze is focused on the ground. Reference bibliography: Maquivar, María Del Consuelo, La Escultura Religiosa en Nueva España, Ediciones Conaculta, EAN 9789701856161.Overall dimensions with base: 57 x 20 x 11 cm, St. Michael measures: 47 x 20 x 7 cm. Provenance: Catalan family estate, Barcelona, Spain.