Allegory of the Fortress

Oil painting on canvas

192 x 74 cm.

In gilded frame 198 x 81 cm.

The work is accompanied by a critical study drawn up by prof. Emilio Negro (Bologna)

The beautiful allegorical composition in question, which portrays a handsome full-length warrior, was originally conceived to be part of the representative furnishings of a large noble palace and represents the personification of the Cardinal Virtue of the Fortress.

It is one of the four virtues which, together with Wisdom, Temperance and Justice, were classified by Plato in his Phaedrus, and then also adopted by the Christian religion to enclose the

Principal human virtues, equated with the pillars of a life dedicated to good and righteousness.

Specifically, Fortitude is the moral virtue which, in difficulties, ensures firmness and constancy in the pursuit of good. It strengthens the decision to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life, giving the courage to go as far as giving up and sacrificing one's life to defend a just cause.

The iconographic representation, in our case, sees a mighty male figure, a soldier in the dress of a Roman warrior, with helmet, sword and shield, symbols of the dominion that this virtue exercises over the souls of men who intend to do good. He wears a floating red cloak, the color of passion, commitment and even the blood he is determined to shed in order to achieve his purpose.

He therefore personifies the archetype of the warrior and the martyr, as he is ready to fight and defend his ideals to the point of extreme sacrifice.

The work, whose execution expresses elegance and power at the same time, can be traced back to Giacomo Stella (Brescia 1545 - Rome 1630), a significant Mannerist artist active between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, originally from Brescia but active especially in Rome, where he moved at a young age, under the pontificates of Gregory XIII (1572-1585) and his successors Sixtus V (1585-1590) and Urban VIII.

In the papal city he came into contact with Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia, active in many of the major projects of the late sixteenth century commissioned by the papacy. Among these the most important is the fresco of one of the major religious works of the time, the construction and decoration of the Sistine Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (not to be confused with that of the Vatican), destined to become a funeral chapel for Pope Sixtus V .

Painter of great temperament and gifted with a beautiful naturalist shot, the great frescoes of the 'Resurrection' and the 'Creation of Eve', at the Scala Santa in Rome, are certainly due to his only hand.

The painting is in good condition.

The painting is sold together with a pleasant gilded wooden frame.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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