Stained Glass Window with the Prophet Habbakuk

Description This panel, a pair with Walters 46.41, was once part of a larger program of decoration at the cathedral in Soissons that was paid for by King Philippe August of France (r. 1180-1223). It shows Habbakuk seated and dressed in an Antique robe. He holds a scroll, a common feature in medieval depictions of prophets. This window was probably placed below figures of the apostles, visually demonstrating the Christian belief that the New Testament relied on and superseded the foundation of the Old Testament.

Provenance Raoul Heilbronner, Paris; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1910, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Transcription] Painted in the arch above the figure: [H]ABACUC PROPHETA; [Translation] Prophet Habbakuk; [Transcription] Heavily restored, fragmentary and abbreviated text painted on the band at neck level of the figure: EP./SCV; [Transcription] Painted on the scroll: EVAN[GELIUM] SECUND[UM] MATHEUM; [Translation] The Gospel according to Matthew

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1910