M. Palumbo (XX) - Icona Sacra - San Michele Arcangelo - 40 x 55 cm

Traditional Icon of the Archangel Michael
Dimensions: 40 x 55 cm (Panel thickness: 1 cm).
Author: Marco Palumbo, native of Monte Sant'Angelo.
Technique and Materials: Egg tempera and hand-applied gold leaf on a wooden panel. (Note: The frame shown in the image is included for illustrative purposes only.)
Description of the Work:
A splendid and rigorous Byzantine icon depicting the Archangel Michael, the heavenly commander of the angelic hosts. This sacred icon was created by the author Marco Palumbo, a native of Monte Sant'Angelo, who earned a certificate as an iconographer by learning directly from the monks the ancient and rigorous technique of Byzantine painting.
The work carries extraordinary spiritual value: the icon has already been blessed in the Celestial Cave of Monte Sant'Angelo, a place unique in the world for having been consecrated directly by God and not by human hands. For this reason, it is not merely a decorative object, but a true window onto the divine, capable of bringing a deep atmosphere of prayer and contemplation to any environment.
Meaning of Colors and Objects in Catholic Doctrine:
The Archangel Michael: Represents the prince of the heavenly hosts, the defender of the faith and the conqueror of evil. His very name ("Who is like God?") is an act of worship and total submission to the Most High.
The Sword: Symbolizes the Word of God, truth and justice with which the Archangel fights the powers of darkness and defends the faithful.
The Spear: Surmounted by the cross, represents Christ's definitive victory over sin and death.
The Armor: Emphasizes his role as heavenly commander, adorned with precious details that recall royalty and the incorruptibility of the spirit.
The Color Red: In Christian iconographic tradition, red symbolizes divinity, the fire of the Holy Spirit, sacrifice, and ardent love.
The Golden Background: Gold represents the uncreated light of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the eternal and transcendent dimension that envelops the sacred.