Andrea Pozzo
Trinity Altarpiece: Detail, Faith Triumphing over Idolatry

The title is given by the church's label. The dragon beneath Faith's feet is usually a symbol of Satan. Presumably idolatry itself is represented by the fallen figure in the foreground. Her left hand tugs at the king as if in an effort to pull him back into idolatry. He may represent the secular power in general or possibly a ruler such as Solomon, who felt the tug of idolatry (I Kings 11:1-8).

What faith upholds is a chalice, as if the doctrine of the Eucharist were the object of faith most in need of triumph.


View the entire altarpiece.

Photographed at the church by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.