Here we have a Guido Reni's painting, a work of art from one of the geniuses of the art of the XVII century in Italy (and Rome especially). A man who was also the main protagonists of scandalous episodes related to his works...

For example this painting, named "Archangel Michael", is located in the church of Santa Maria of the Conception in Rome, at the beginning of the famous Via Veneto. Reni was one of the students of Annibale Carracci, a brilliant painter from Bologna who, between the XVI and XVII century, developped and spread out the sublime art that is derived from the teachings of the great masters, Michelangelo and Raphael. It is not a coincidence that Carracci was considered a sort of prototype of the master of the end of the XVI century, fairly tight-fitting in the manner of the masters of the Renaissance, capable of painting from life and with extreme realism and naturalism, the ability to grasp and unleash the right emotions from his figures. And in fact in this work we see the beautiful relationship of colors of the Archangel Michael, beautiful and powerful at the same time.

This light blue and pink, combined with the bright colors of the daemon and the dark background, they give an emotional charge without the previous. To what I told you before add also the research of the details, both in the human anatomy which in the present objects. But Guido Reni, in spite of his skill, had also other kind of problems!

It is said in fact, according to some local chronicles of the time Guido Reni had the habit of signing works that are not their own. So like his master, he surrounded himself with young artists, beginners, but of great artistic standing, that often worked to the works commissioned at the same master. Even our Guido opened his own workshop, which became of course the famous and sought after. Work there for a young painter or simple apprentice could mean a great opportunity that should be seized upon. Many, including noblemen, nobles, or even the popes commissioned something to Reni and his studio, in order to own one of the great works of the celebrated master. It is said, however, that he signed with his name and surname in some works that in reality he never touched... It is not uncommon, in fact to find here in Rome and not only many works that usually are just attributed to Guido Reni. Maybe the style could be similar, but sometimes even the scholars are not sure. And it is another information that could tell us how this master had some shadows in his life (if you want to read about another example click here) 

Despite this, however, is certainly that the painter was a true master who was able to talk about himself for his style and his figures so true, real and powerful. Many were the contemporaries who congratulated with Guido Reni when they saw the picture. Many were greatly impressed by the Archangel Michael, with that strong arm is ready to fall of shot, to defeat the Evil. This pictorial work was often put in relation with the Apollo Belvedere, preserved in the Vatican Museums, always in Rome, which in the course of centuries became another symbol of perfection and strength, in this way emitted from the hard marble. But there is something more, especially if we look at the face of the demon, crushed under the weight of Good and of the Archangel Michael, who seems to be the armed arm of God. The face prefigures the defeat, but not only. Looking better someone found a clear resemblance between the demonic facial and the pope Innocent X, with whom Guido Reni had many disputes. This pontiff was not so lucky with the portraits, especially if you know what happened with another wonderful painting, in this case painted by Velasquez, and always representing Innocent X. In short, definitely not flowed good blood between the two. Fun and makes you think the answer given by Guido Reni when someone pointed out the above-mentioned similarity:"The angel I could not see and I had to paint it according to my imagination. The demon, instead I met him several times, I looked carefully and I fixed his features just as I saw them". I would say that there is not much to say, true?