Allegory of Faith

Painted by an anonymous north European artist, late 1600s

Oil on canvas
122.5 x 101 cm
WA1845.32

This painting is from a series that focuses on Christian virtues. The woman represents Faith. The setting is a baroque church interior; two statues in niches depict Christ with the cross and a figure with a sword, probably St Paul. Faith holds a chalice and a cross whilst reading the Bible. An x-ray during conservation work revealed that there was once a communion wafer near the chalice, referencing Catholic worship. It may have been painted over to make the painting acceptable to a Protestant.

Link to Downloadable version of this image.