Many icons of the 19th century with Michael the Archangel’s image are considered to be Old-Rite icons. They often depicted him as a formidable warrior, the leader of the divine heavenly army. On this icon of the unknown master, the Archangel is depicted in armor, wearing a crown on his head. His red winged horse is hoofing the Devil whom the saint is piercing with a spear. It was believed that Michael the Archangel fought evil and lawlessness on earth and fulfilled the will of the Lord. In his hands he holds a censer, a cross and a closed book, signs of the imminent Apocalypse.

In the oval medallion above Michael’s head, there is Emmanuel the Savior, and next to him is the throne. Emmanuel the Savior is the canonical image of Jesus Christ as a teenager, and the throne is a symbol of the kingdom and authority of God, the triumph of faith.

Michael the Archangel is depicted on a swirling cloud. Between the Archangel’s spread arms, the artist painted a rainbow. Rainbow on icon indicates the message of the Second Coming and the Last Judgment, which the Lord had passed to Michael. The Archangel is holding a trumpet at his lips, which is a symbol of his carrying the message to people.

The figure of a warrior angel became popular due to Yermak’s campaign in Siberia. His army placed the image of Michael the Archangel on its banner, and the Cossacks considered him to be their patron. In Central Russia, another image of Michael the Archangel was popular (though in a lesser number of paintings): he was depicted wearing military clothes, but standing upright and without a horse.