Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Prudence
(Medieval Europe )
This winged figure holding the head of a serpent that curls round its chest probably represents the virtue Prudence, in accordance with Jesus' words: "be wise as serpents. . ." (Matthew 10:16). Along with the divine virtues of "faith, hope, and love" (1 Corinthians 13:13), justice, fortitude, temperance, and prudence were considered during the Middle Ages to be the principal worldly virtues. This statuette must have been part of a set placed at the base of a portable altar, candlestick, or baptismal font. It closely resembles in style the early 12th-century bronze doors of the Church of Saint Zeno in Verona.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., New York [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1925, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2008-2009 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Museum of Biblical Art, New York; Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville; Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha. |
| 2009 | Things With Wings: Mythological Figures in Ancient Greek Art. Ward Museum, Salisbury. |
| 2005-2006 | Things With Wings: Mythological Figures in Ancient Greek Art. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2002-2005 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
| 2001-2002 | Realms of Faith: Medieval and Byzantine Art from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville. |
Geographies
Italy, Verona (Place of Origin)
Measurements
4 1/2 x 3 in. (11.4 x 7.6 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1925
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.52