Sacred and legendary art, volume 1 (of 2) / Containing legends of the angels and archangels, the evangelists, the Apostles, the doctors of the church, and St. Mary magdalene, as represented in the fine arts.

by Mrs. Jameson

[84] De Oratione, cap. xii.

[85] Bottari, Tab. xxii. On the early Christian sarcophagi, as I have already observed, there are no winged angels. In the oft-repeated subject of the ‘Three Children in the burning fiery furnace,’ the fourth figure, when introduced, may represent a son of God,—i.e. an angel; or the Son of God, i.e. Christ, as it has been interpreted in both senses.

[86] Bel and the Dragon, 26.

[87] Bottari, 15, 49, 84.

[88] See ‘Legends of the Madonna.’

[89] ‘The stone on which stood the angel Gabriel when he announced to the most Blessed Virgin the great mystery of the Incarnation,’ is among the relies enumerated as existing in the church of the Santa Croce at Rome.

[90] In Paradise he sings for ever the famous salutation:—

Cantando Ave Maria gratia plena

Dinanzi a lei le sue ali distese.

Dante, Par. 32.