BYZANTIUM 11th CenturyAs Commander of the Heavenly Hosts, the Archangel Michael is often shown in battle dress, with a lance in his hand to fight the devil.He was also seen by the early church as the defender of Christians and the guide of souls on earth towards the Light Eternal. It is in this role that he is portrayed here.Painted either in a Byzantine workshop or by an itinerant Byzantine artist working in Russia, the original icon shows the strong influence of the Classical Greek style of portraiture.This replica was hand painted using the traditional techniques of the original icon by Anderton White of Lincoln.
