Archangel Michael with scenes of his deeds

"Archangel Michael with scenes of his deeds". Icon. Late XVIth century.

It is the oldest icon in the Archangel's Cathedral's iconostasis. According to the legend, it was created on the order of Princess Eudokia, wife of Great Prince Dmitry Donskoi. Eudokia might have ordered to paint an icon of Archangel Michael, who had come to her in a dream to the memory of Great Prince Dmitry Donskoi. Artistic features of the image date it back to 1399. That year, Theofan the Greek, famous icon-painter from Byzantium, worked in the Archangel's Cathedral. The magnificent silhouette of the armoured angel-warrior wearing a scarlet coat and holding a sword in his hand seems to come out of the shimmering golden background of the icon. Eighteen scenes of the icon depict the deeds of the Archangel Michael fighting for good. The author of the icon created an epic image of "a perfect warrior and leader of the perfect regiment of heaven powers", full of generosity and unconquerable spirit.

Detail of the icon ""Archangel Michael with scenes of his deeds". Late XVIth century.
Delivery of Peter from a dungeon. Detail of icon "Archangel Michael with scenes of his deeds". Late XVIth century.