Votum Sanguinis Top Image

Votum Sanguinis Top Image

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Eighth Devil's Gate Engraving - Novem Portis

I curated the original 8th Devil’s Gate engraving made by Lucifer to distinguish it from the Aristide Torchia illustration, who changed the drawing for fear of being retaliated by the Church.

The Latin coded words in the engraving are VIC.I.T VIR., and belongs to a nice motto in Latin, VICTA IACET VIRTUS. The English translation says, VIRTUE IS CONQUERED.

The description of the xilography explains that before the fortified walls of a town, a kneeling woman (a monk in AT illustration) offers her neck to the executioner. In the background, a wheel of fortune or destiny with three people on it, – one at the summit, another climbing and another descending. The three figures on the wheel represent the three phases of the Medieval Age with the words, I rule (regno), I ruled (regnavi) and I will rule (regnabo).

To order it, the high resolution engraving is available in this section should you want to collect it and open the Eighth Gate of the Devil.



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