Allegory of Fortitude
Artist: Luca Giordano (Italian, 1634 - 1705)
Original Dimensions: 37 3/8" x 39"
Location: National Gallery of Art, London
About Artwork: (Early 1680s) "This modello, or detailed oil study, is one of a group of 12 that Giordano made in preparation for the ceiling frescoes in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in 1682–85. Ten of the modelli are in the National Gallery’s collection, and this one represents one of the four Cardinal Virtues. First identified by the philosopher Plato, the Virtues were later adopted by the Roman Catholic Church. A different Virtue is depicted in each corner of the ceiling. Fortitude is depicted just left of centre with two of her emblems: a lion and a fallen column. She is being crowned by Honour and, with Constancy standing to the left, she triumphs over the cowering figure of Fear, wearing a deer skin, and Misery, reclining lower right. On the right stands Valour; Victory sits on a globe above him, holding a standard and a pomegranate. Peace, meanwhile, with a flaming torch and olive branch, descends to earth." - (National Gallery of Art, London)

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