The bronze statue of St. Michael reflecting a 14th-century fresco

Why is St. Michael holding a lily-topped scepter instead of a sword? It is a reflection of a long-lost painting. The bronze statue in Piazza San Paolo mirrors a 14th-century fresco from the church of San Michele Arcangelo, which was the second oldest church in Monza, following only the basilica of San Giovanni. It represents a shift in iconography from the traditional warrior saint to a Byzantine dignitary of court.

The church of San Michele Arcangelo dates back to the year 628. It was a significant site, hosting the coronation of Corrado III di Svevia in 1128. The Umiliati order eventually decorated the temple with a massive fresco. It depicted a mass attended by the Longobard court and the angel. The painting showed a realistic descriptive vein and heavy mannerisms, and is believed to be from before the middle of the 14th century.

Then came 1922. The ancient building was demolished by the socialist government to create a new street. To keep the memory alive, a bronze statue was placed in 2004. The sculptor, Benedetto Pietrogrande, created the monument to reflect the iconography of the old fresco. By choosing a Byzantine dignitary of court over the traditional western warrior image, the work sparked intense political, cultural, and religious controversies at the time of its installation.

Today, the statue stands on a very low base to suggest it is hovering just above the pavement. The original inspiration remains preserved; the actual fresco was stripped from the walls before the demolition and is now kept in the Museo del Duomo.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons