The Triumph of the Virtues

 


History

The Triumph of the Virtues, also known as Minerva Expelling the Vices from the Garden of Virtue, was painted by Andrea Mantegna in 1502 and is currently located in the Musée du Louvre of Paris. It was the second painting Isabella d'Este's studiolo, the first painting being Parnassus. 

Aesthetic

This painting shows the scene of Minerva, goddess of wisdom, chasing off the Vices out of a marsh. The Vices are depicted as deformed beings with medieval scrolls identifying which Vice they are. Among the named Vices are also mythical beings such as the centaur, commonly used as symbolism for lust or sexual violence, that is kidnapping goddess Diana. In the sky are the three virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity, watching from above in a cloud, and to the left of Minerva is an olive tree that resembles a human woman.

I believe that this piece is quite appealing, mostly due to the amount of story telling that is present in the painting. In this one painting we see a Greek goddess being saved from what is presented as medieval vices, as the virtues look on in support. I also really enjoy the details in the painting, s specifically the face in the clouds next to the virtues. I was unable to find anything about this face, so I may just be seeing faces where there are none, but I find it interesting and I am curious as to what the face may symbolize.



Humanism

This painting is great example of humanism during the Renaissance. This painting was made to go into a studiolo, which means this painting was suppose to evoke this feeling of intelligence. The painting does this by having a Greek goddess, Minerva, save another goddess, Diana, from the depicted medieval vices. This is essentially an artistic depiction of the humanist movement. down to the use of the Greek mythos, and the enlightening of the mind. This was no accident either, it was meant to be show that Isabella d'Este was one of these now enlightened minds.

Links

Andrea Mantegna, Art e Dossier, www.artedossier.it/it/art-history/artist/mantegna-andrea/.

“Art in Tuscany: Andrea Mantegna: Triumph of the Virtue, about 1502: Podere Santa Pia, Casa Vacanze in Maremma, Toscana.” Art in Tuscany | Andrea Mantegna | Triumph of the Virtue, about 1502 | Podere Santa Pia, Casa Vacanze in Maremma, Toscana, www.travelingintuscany.com/art/andreamantegna/trionfodellavirtu.htm.


Comments

  1. Jessica Lyga-NguyenJune 16, 2021 at 3:43 AM

    Interesting choice! I find this lively and colorful scene quite appealing. I think the mythological aspect is fun, and despite being so fanciful the general idea of virtue and vice is still relevant in ordinary life. This would probably be an effective little mindset-check for me if it were hung somewhere at school! It's pretty enough that I would always look, and the motivating strength to triumph over bad habits is a good inspiration to offer. This is an enjoyable example of humanism's best features in my book.

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