Torcuato Ruiz del Peral (Exfiliana, Granada, 1708 – Granada, 1773)
Saint Michael Defeating the Demon, 1740–1770
Carved and polychromed wood with applied lace and silver accessories
94.7 × 42 cm
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Torcuato Ruiz del Peral, trained in Diego de Mora’s workshop, was Granada’s leading eighteenth-century sculptor. Saint Michael subdues a greenish demon, reflecting the Baroque principle of kalokagathia, where beauty signifies virtue and ugliness denotes evil. The angel’s elaborate skirt and rich polychromy showcase contemporary fashion and Peral’s decorative skill. Silver elements—including the chain, rays, and rocaille-style helmet—along with picado de lustre on the cuirass, enhance the play of light and gold. Similar motifs appear in his other works, such as Saints Justus and Pastor in Granada, highlighting his mastery of polychrome Baroque sculpture.
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