Describe the characteristics of the The Emblem of Christ Appearing to Constantine in this artwork's Rubens' designs.

sketch: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 18.186" x 22.063" (46.2 x 56 cm.) tapestry: Paris, Mobilier National In this scene, the Chi-Rho monogram of Christ appears before Constantine in the sky at noon just prior to his battle with Maxentius. In a dream, he learns that placing this emblem on his banner assures him of triumph over Maxentius, his co-emperor. Rubens follows Eusebius quite closely, but replaces the flaming cross he described with the monogram in Lactantius' chronicle. One soldier, looking at Constantine rather than the vision, points with the labarum, or military standard, to the next scene.
Lactantius Maxentius tapestry Eusebius Paris Lactantius' Philadelphia Philadelphia Museum of Art