The Triumph of Divine Love

Though persecuted at times, Christians had become a large part of the population of the Roman Empire by the early fourth century and in 313 Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity which soon became the state religion. During this transition from antiquity to the Christian era, many of the pagan iconographies and writings had been adopted into serving the Christian beliefs. These included images of winged beings that could be angels or demons; it must be noted the angels in the Old and New Testament are not described as having wings. Other pagan symbols flourished such as the figure of a young man carrying a lamb on his shoulders which represented philanthropy in antiquity and was transformed into a youthful Christ as the Good Shepherd. Indeed, the early theologian Saint Augustine who was born into a patrician Roman family was influenced by the Greek philosophers such as Plato whom he references in his work The City of God.1 The four cardinal virtues Prudence, Justice Fortitude and Temperance, which he considers also Christian virtues, appear in Plato’s The Republic.
In the hierarchy of angels according to Christian theology, there are choirs or groups of angels that exist in different forms and spheres in adoration of God. The Seraphim and Cherubim; the Archangels and the Guardian angels are some of these celestial beings mentioned in the Old and New Testament. They protected and defended God’s people against the forces of evil or Satan who would destroy or prevent them from leading a pious life in this world in preparation for the next.
Religious images reproduced in engravings and woodblock prints had proliferated throughout Spain and its colonies. These influenced local masters but more importantly, guided their compositions adhering to strict iconographies sanctioned by the Church. This medieval iconography of the virtues has come down from various treatises such as the lavish illuminations in “The Garden of Virtues” included in the Somne le roi written ca. 1279 for King Philip III of France.2 These describe the virtues a good Christian should possess. This rather unusual painting of a monumental figure of a winged avenger armed with bow and arrows, trampling the figure of Eros whose hands are tied and appears crushed under his weight with his poisonous snake nearby, represents one of the triumphs of virtues. Eros became a despised god in the Middle Ages as he was then understood as someone who tricked humanity into lascivious behavior.3 The crucified Christ on the upper left looks upon this scene of triumph over lust, as it is love of God which sustains His people. According to the Gospels, God “… so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”4
MJ Aguilar, Ph.D.