Fortitudo 1620 - 1692

Pietro del Po created this 661mm by 515mm engraving, Fortitudo, sometime in the 17th century. Del Po, an Italian painter and engraver, operated in a society deeply influenced by classical antiquity and the rise of powerful noble families. The artwork, whose Latin title translates to “Strength,” presents a complex allegory of power dynamics. We see a female figure, Fortitude, towering above a struggling man and a lion. She’s flanked by cherubic figures, one holding a shield, the other holding what looks to be an arrow. Note how the figures are arranged: Fortitude and her cherubs are calm, while the man is caught in a life-or-death struggle. This image reflects the values of its time: strength, virtue, and the subjugation of the wild. But, from a contemporary perspective, we might ask: who benefits from this display of power? Whose stories are silenced in this vision of strength? The print thus serves as a potent reminder of how art can both reflect and shape societal values, inviting us to question the narratives we inherit.