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Allegory of Christianity
Artist: Hans Sebald Beham (German, 1500-1550)
Date: early 16th-mid 16th Century
Dimensions:
H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm): W. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Museum Purchase
Object number: 1956.45
Label Text:The winged figure in this print is a personification of the Christian faith. The staff with a cross refers to Jesus Christ’s role as the Good Shepherd of the Church; the Sacred Heart the figure holds symbolizes Christ’s divine love; and the representation of the sun is a reference to Sol Justitiae (The Sun of Righteousness): “The Sun of Righteousness shall appear ablaze when he will judge mankind on the day of doom” (Berchorius’s Repertorium Morale). Further, various details are labeled in Latin: the wings of the figure symbolize Victory and her crown represents Reward; the Sacred Heart symbolizes Charity; the sun, the Light of Eternity; the staff represents Faith; the rainbow in the background stands for Hope; and the serpent crushed beneath the woman’s foot represents the Devil.
Not on view
In Collection(s)