Archangel Michael – Lithograph with Sandblasting – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph with Sandblasting featuring Archangel Michael
The glorious Archangel Michael, leader of the unbodied powers, plays a central role in both the Old and New Testaments. His interventions and acts of salvation are numerous and life-saving.

Archangel Michael appeared to Abraham during the sacrifice of Isaac. Later, he appeared to Lot when he rescued him and his family from the destruction of Sodom. He also appeared to Jacob, saving him from his brother Esau, who intended to kill him.

Archangel Michael, in the form of a cloud and fire, led the Israelites when they were freed from the bondage of the Egyptians, showing them the way to the Promised Land.

When Lucifer, who was one of the angels, rebelled against God due to his pride, seeking to become like God, a faction of angels broke away and followed him. These angels, along with Lucifer, were cast out and transformed into demons. Then, Archangel Michael, with humility and submission to God, gathered and united the ranks of the angels, calling to them “Let us be attentive,” meaning, let us be cautious not to fall from the light into darkness, as Lucifer did. In this way, he preserved the glory of the other angelic hosts.

The Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, along with all the angelic hosts, is celebrated on November 8.

Lithograph with Sandblasting: Characteristics
In this particular image, the monk iconographer used the lithography technique to create a work of unique beauty. By using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk crafted this piece following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of Mount Athos. The artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process that the monks of Mount Athos place great importance on.

The technique of sandblasting is also used around the image. Sandblasting is a process in which part or all of a surface is eroded by the projection of sand under pressure.

The image is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos
Dimensions: 19 x 24 x 2 cm