Allegory of Christianity

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Allegory of Christianity

Artist Hans Sebald Beham (German, 1500-1550)

Dateearly 16th-mid 16th Century

DimensionsH. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm): W. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)

MediumEngraving

ClassificationPrints

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number

1956.45

Not on View

Label TextThe 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.Published ReferencesHollstein, F., German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts,, III, p.77.

Singer, Hans W., Sammlung Lanna-Prag, Das Kupferstichkabinett Wisseusch aft . . . . . , I, Prague, 1895, p. 124, no. 1116 (as brilliant impression, acquired by Lanna through Daulos, Paris June, 1884. Lanna had another 1st state impression of this print from the William Esdaile Collection).

Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Storytelling in Miniature, October 7, 2011-March 4, 2012.