Charity and Faith c. 1600 - 1610

This bronze sculpture, "Charity and Faith," was created by Hubert Gerhard, a sculptor active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Gerhard lived in a time of religious and political upheaval and operated within the courts of wealthy patrons. The sculpture depicts a female figure, likely an allegorical representation of charity, surrounded by children. Note the direct and intimate gaze of the woman. She is both a mother and an ideal. The use of bronze creates a sense of enduring strength, while the gilded elements highlight her divine qualities. The representation of charity as a maternal figure connects to societal expectations of women as caregivers and nurturers. Yet, the classical style also elevates her beyond the domestic sphere, embodying a universal virtue. Gerhard’s sculpture uses the female form to explore ideals of virtue, divinity, and the social roles ascribed to women.