Archangel Michael 1815

Vladimir Borovikovsky painted this image of Archangel Michael in oil on canvas, but its exact date of creation is unknown. Here, the traditional religious subject matter meets the sensibility of late 18th-century Russia. Borovikovsky was a product of the Imperial Academy of Arts, an institution designed to cultivate a national style that could rival those of Western Europe. Observe the figure of Michael; note the classicizing drapery and idealized anatomy. These features borrow from the European neoclassical style and they reflect Russia's ambition to participate in the broader European cultural sphere. Yet, the painting also nods to the country’s deeply rooted Orthodox traditions through the inclusion of a religious figure. Examining archival records and the history of the Imperial Academy can help us better understand how the artist navigated the complex cultural landscape of his time.