Virtui est gratus quoties...
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Virtui est gratus quoties... is a 1597 ink by Robert Boissard, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two figures standing side by side, dressed in fancy robes and tall hats. The person on the left holds a cross-like object, while the person on the right wears a fur-lined cloak and rests a hand on their shoulder. Both have serious expressions, and the background includes a small plant with flowers. The text below them is in Latin, which translates roughly to "Virtue is pleasing whenever Cupid stirs Idalia’s breast with fire." This suggests the figures might represent ideas rather than real people. If you like this style, check out the technique called engraving.
