St. Michael's Triumph: The Iconic Bronze Sculpture at Coventry's New Cathedral

I have already written about the three Cathedrals of Coventry in previous articles. Now, let me focus on a striking sculpture that adorns the exterior of the New Cathedral. As you ascend the steps from Priory Street, aside from the magnificent cathedral building itself, the first thing that catches your eye is the bold and dramatic sculpture symbolizing the triumph of Archangel Michael over the Devil.

Titled St Michael's Victory over the Devil, this bronze sculpture, created in 1958 by Jacob Epstein, greets visitors as they approach the New Cathedral. What’s notable is the calm stance of St. Michael as he holds his spear upright—not in an act of aggression or vengeance, but as a symbol of righteous victory and authority over his captive.

For those unfamiliar, Saint Michael is an archangel and a spiritual warrior in the eternal battle between good and evil. He is revered as a protector of justice, a healer, and the guardian of the Church. In art, Saint Michael is often depicted with a sword, scales, or a banner, and is frequently shown defeating Satan, who is represented as a dragon.

Here, the sculpture is made of bronze and affixed to the cathedral’s outer wall. The central figure, Saint Michael, stands tall with outstretched wings and holds a long spear in his hand. He triumphantly stands over the figure of Satan, who lies defeated beneath him, his limbs contorted in submission. This powerful composition captures the religious theme of good triumphing over evil, with the angelic figure embodying divine strength and protection, while the defeated figure symbolizes evil and chaos.

Happy travelling.