Fortitude 

Maarten de Vos rendered this drawing, Fortitude, using pen and brown ink and brown wash. Observe the figure of Fortitude, draped in classical robes, standing confidently within an architectural niche, her calm visage framed by a wreath. The lion skin she carries over her arm is no mere trophy; it is an emblem resonating with the strength of Hercules, the hero who wore the Nemean Lion’s pelt as a symbol of his invincibility. This potent symbol echoes through time, reappearing in Roman sculptures and Renaissance paintings. It’s a reminder of mankind's eternal quest to tame inner demons, the 'beasts' within ourselves. In each era, the lion skin’s meaning shifts subtly, reflecting cultural anxieties and aspirations. This motif engages our subconscious, tapping into primordial fears and a deep-seated desire for protection and mastery. The symbol's continued presence illustrates our cyclical journey, reinventing and reinterpreting this potent symbol across the ages.