Forteza (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #36)

1467

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory Ferrara

Dominant colour

Forteza (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #36) is a 1467 by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, a Renaissance work, depicting Ferrara, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
When & what style?: 1467 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a full-length female figure representing Fortitude. She's dressed in armor and holds a broken column. The figure is one of the virtues in a series of engravings. The series includes other virtues like Faith and Justice. These virtues were important principles for a good life in the 15th century. The engravings were likely used to teach people about these values. You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of the artist Master of the E-Series Tarocchi.

The story of this work

Overview

This engraving is part of the group marked with the letter “B,” and named Cosmic Principles and the Virtues , which comprises the three Universal principles (Light, Time, and Space) alongside the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity) and the four cardinal ones (Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice). The latter were regarded as the basic Christian principles required for a virtuous life. Here, Forteza (Fortitude) is represented as a full-length female figure in profile, wearing a lion’s skin on her head and a lion armor. She holds a broken column with her left hand. This…

Read the full account in the museum source.