Artwork
Faith, Hope and Charity
Faith, Hope and Charity is a print by Jean Baptiste Michel. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Faith, Hope and Charity is a circular print created by Jean Baptiste Michel in 1850, based on a work by Rubens.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts three allegorical figures: Faith, Hope, and Charity. Faith holds a cross, Hope smiles upwards, and Charity holds a book and quill. A dove is present, symbolizing divine presence. The figures are often represented together in art, embodying virtues.
Technique & Style
The print features soft light and flowing drapery, with delicate rendering of the figures' faces and clothing. Michel adapted Rubens' original composition, introducing his own interpretation in the details.
History & Provenance
The print is related to a work by Rubens, but the original is not specified. It is part of a broader tradition of printmaking, with similar examples held in institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Baptiste Michel made late-18th to early-19th-century prints that feel like crisp engravings you’d hang in a parlor.
