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Allegory of Fortitude

Francesco Rosaspina

1802

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Allegory of Fortitude is a 1802 ink by Francesco Rosaspina, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Francesco Rosaspina
When & what style?: 1802 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

In this painting, a woman sits on a pedestal, holding a column in her right hand and a branch of leaves in her left. She wears a flowing dress and a helmet, and a lion lies at her feet. The scene is rendered in pen, brown ink, gray and brown wash, and white gouache over black chalk. The woman's pose conveys a sense of strength and confidence, while the lion at her feet suggests courage and bravery. The column and branch of leaves may symbolize the virtues of fortitude and resilience. This painting is a great example of Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion and individualism. If you're interested in learning more about this style, check out the Romanticism movement.