Allegorical Figure of a Woman with a Shield or a Mirror (Prudence?)

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770), oil on a gold ground, on canvas, c. 1740-1750

The female figures in this painting and its pendant are rendered in a limited range of colours, thereby evoking marble or stucco reliefs on a gold ground. Because these decorative paintings were meant to be seen from a distance, Tiepolo did not find it necessary to make the figures clearly identifiable. This woman may represent Prudence (prudentia), and the other one Fortitude (fortitudo) holding a club.

  • Artwork typepainting, grisaille
  • Object numberSK-A-3438
  • Dimensionsheight 81 cm x width 65 cm
  • Physical characteristicsolieverf op gouden grond, op doek