Fides (Faith)
1539
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Sebald Beham
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page1539
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Fides (Faith) is a 1539 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a muscular figure with wings standing on a coiled snake. The person holds a goblet in one hand and a cross-topped staff in the other. A shield and a small bowl sit on the ground near their feet. The background is plain, but the figure’s body is covered in tight, crisscrossed lines. The word *Fides* at the top means "Faith" in Latin, so this is likely a symbol of that idea. The snake underfoot might represent something being crushed or overcome. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists carved these detailed lines.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page
