Original icon, Archangel Michael on white horse over York, 24ct gold leaf, egg tempera on birch ply

Archangel Michael hand-painted icon in egg tempera and 24 carat gold leaf on birch ply. Height 53 cm (21in) width 42 cm (16.5in) 1.5cm (1/2in) birch ply

Archangel Michael sits astride a winged horse, flying above my old school, the Bar Convent on Blossom Street, York (the Roman name for York is Eboracum).

During my school days at the Bar Convent, we all knew the story of how several centuries ago, the early community of nuns (IBVM – Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) were under attack by an angry mob and that they prayed fervently to St Michael for protection. Archangel/St Michael (whose name means ‘he who is like God’) appeared on a white horse above their building and the crowd fled in terror.

With my love of icons and old buildings, I could at last integrate these and acknowledge that cherished event in an icon. The buildings show the Convent and part of Blossom Street in disarray with the force of the dragon (representing the angry mob) but the power of prayer from within the community has seen the convent protected and grow and the school evolve and thrive.

This icon is based on an apocalypse prototype which refers to the Book of Revelation where ‘there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon’. Archangel Michael is shown casting a small golden heart into the mouth of the dragon, to dispel the darkness. The mountains represent our earthly realm.

Please get in touch if you need any further information, photos or if you wish to pay by stages. Postage is free within the UK but I meet overseas shipping costs half way with the price shown at checkout.