Saint Michael the Archangel

This panel and its pair, dedicated to Saint Sebastian the Martyr, were part of the main altarpiece of the parish Church of Saint Stephen in Aniés. Saint Michael is depicted wearing armor, which is covered in a sumptuous cloak. His gold breastplate is finely worked in relief using pastillage, while the coat of mail, greaves, and brassards are silver. In his left hand, the prince of angels holds the head of Lucifer, depicted as a dragon with large red wings. The monster is trapped beneath the angel’s gold knee guard, waiting for the sword that Saint Michael is brandishing threateningly in his right hand to fall. The violence of the scene emphasizes the contrast between the ugliness of the devil and the angel’s delicate, elegant features, which can be seen in other works by Juan de la Abadía, such as the one in the parish church in Liesa.