Hieronymus Wierix: Seven archangels (before 1619)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the Flemish artist Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619). This religious print shows 7 archangels (an archangel is a high ranking type of angel). From left to right: Raphael, Uriel, Gabriel, Michael, Selaphiel (or Selatiel), Jegudiel (or Jehudiel) and Barachiel. Only the archangels Raphael, Gabriel and Michael are mentioned in the Bible, the other 4 come from other sources. the top part of the print is formed by saints (Mary, Peter, Paul, the Holy Trinity, John the Baptist and Stephen protomartyr. Below the Holy Trinity are the symbols of the four evangelists: Matthew (a winged man/ angel), Mark (a winged lion), Luke (a winged ox/ bull), and John (an eagle). At the bottom are two quotes from the Bible: "gratia vobis et pax ab eo qui est et qui erat et qui venturus est et a septem spiritibus qui in conspectu throni eius sunt" (= Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne - Revelations 1:4) & "In conspectu angelorum psallam tibi et adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum et confitebor nomini tuo domine" (= "In the presence of the angels I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name - Psalms 138:1-2). Engraving from before 1619.