The Fall of the Rebel Angels

The influence of Bosch and Bruegel is clearly felt in this painting; note the many fantastic figures with fish-heads and bodies of shrimp.

The central figure in the golden harness is the archangel Michael who, with his allies, is fighting the insurgent angels. The trumpet sounds, both in heaven and on earth.

The rebel angels had, according to John’s Revelation, joined a dragon. Thereupon Michael c.s. had cast the rebels to earth.

Bruegel is living in Antwerp when he paints this work. A year later he moves to Brussels.