Style Regence / Ref.9161
Cast iron fireback with the Four Virtues.
Dimensions
Width 40'' ⅛ 102cm
Height 37'' ¾ 96cm
Origin:
18th Century
Status:
Crack at the bottom.
The four women standing in pairs on either side of the central medallion symbolize the four cardinal virtues. These are from left to right:
Strength leaning on a column,
Justice holding a sword,
Temperance filling the cup,
Prudence holding a mirror and a snake.
The central figure represents Faith leaning on the anchor of Hope and brandishing the burning heart of Charity. The veil covering her face is a metaphor for hiding ones eyes in the face of the Divine splendour. The words are: 'ARDET AMANS SPE NIXA FIDES' Faith, leaning on Hope burns with the fire of Charity.
This motto adorns the frontispiece of Jansenist books. The widow of Savreux, bookseller at the foot of the Notre Dame Tower in Nancy, used it for her store name The three virtues.
Under the medallion the Divine tetragram: IHVH