The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 24, 2024

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

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

before 1467
Location: not on view

Description

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 gesture alludes to the biblical figure of Samson, who toppled a building, killed his captors, and ultimately himself. Fortitude as a personification of strength is flanked by a lion, her symbol that appears behind her.
  • Ex. colls: Unidentified collector's mark (Lugt supplement 2822b); Stroganoff
  • Early Italian Engraving: 1460's - 1530's. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 25-October 27, 2002).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; August 25-October 27, 2002. "Early Italian Engravings: 1460s - 1530s."
  • {{cite web|title=Forteza (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #36)|url=false|author=Master of the E-Series Tarocchi|year=before 1467|access-date=24 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.432.36