THE VIRTUES (VIRTUS URANICA)
Brief description: This medieval panel depicts three angels dressed in white robes with two golden wings, golden hair and white haloes. They are identified by the inscription
Three angelic virtues are labelled with the inscription 'Virtus Uranica' (heavenly virtues) and are shown wearing diadems, dalmatic clerical robes and albs with apparels. They hold open books, sceptres and curiously, urine flasks. The inclusion of the urine flask may be a pun on the word uranica or perhaps indicates the virtues' power to perform healing miracles. The panel would have been one of a series of 9, showing the different hierarchies of Christian angelic beings, according to the beliefs put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius in his 6th century book
Object type: stained glass panel
Number of objects: 1
Production date: 1
Production period: 15th century
Designer: English Artist
Dimensions: Height: 178 mm, Width: 154 mm
Acquisition: purchase 18.11.2015
Acquisition source: Bonhams London
Accession number: ELYGM:2015.7.2
