Head of Saint Michael, from the Petrobelli Altarpiece 1562 - 1564

Paolo Veronese painted this head of Saint Michael as part of the Petrobelli Altarpiece, and it presents the youthful archangel, his gaze lowered in contemplative sorrow. The lowered gaze is a potent motif, echoing across centuries, from depictions of the mourning Virgin Mary to introspective portraits of philosophers. In antiquity, it signified humility before the divine or recognition of profound truth. Think of how often this gesture appears in religious art, symbolizing acceptance of fate or divine will. Here, Veronese infuses Saint Michael, typically a figure of triumphant strength, with a poignant humanity. This subtle alteration speaks to the Renaissance fascination with psychology, layering emotional depth onto traditional iconography. The weight of his future deeds, the battles against darkness, seem to press upon him, a burden carried in that downward glance. It's a powerful connection to our own mortal struggles, a reminder that even the mightiest figures carry their own sorrows.