Saint Michael the Archangel

Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig; parted lips. Approximately 4 feet tall (1.2 m.).
Huitzo, Oaxaca, Mexico

St. Michael the Archangel is shown in tunic, red cape, sword, military boots, carrying a vexillum.

The statue may originally have been a Mary Magdalene, with sorrowful face, glance cast up and to the right, a long wig, and hands held up in prayer. The sword has been tied onto the right hand and the vexillum leans into the crook of the left arm. The right calf is showing and is finished and realistic. The greaves are realized in cloth, as are the armor and what appears to be intended as a helmet. The fingers of both hands are severely damaged, with only stumps remaining in the left hand. The right foot also shows deterioration.

Read more about images of St. Michael.

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Photographed at the church by Claire and Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.