Musées de Langres – Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot – Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

Usually associated with rather more peaceful compositions, Jean Tassel presents a very dynamic image of Archangel Michael slaying the dragon, an allegorical figure of evil. The suspended, frozen movement of the intricate drapery is characteristic of part of the painter’s output. The mood is neither contemplative nor gentle: the work does not shy away from convention or theatricality as it asserts the triumph of faith. The powerful use of colour also foregrounds the victorious figure: the reds and blues of his clothing are emphasized by deep dark shadows, echoing the flames and smoke in the background.

Tassel occasionally drew inspiration from widely circulated engravings of compositions by other artists. Here, the figure of the archangel is indebted to Rémy Vuibert’s (1607–1652) engraving of a painting by Guido Reni (1575–1642). As for the figure of the devil, it is borrowed from the work of engraver Jean Ganière (circa 1615–1666).