Una Virtù 1470

Antonio del Pollaiuolo made this wooden sculpture, "Una Virtù," during the Early Renaissance in Florence, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity and humanist values. The sculpture depicts a female figure representing one of the virtues, embodying the era's fascination with moral and intellectual excellence. Draped in flowing robes, her pose suggests both grace and strength, reflecting the Renaissance ideal of harmonizing classical beauty with Christian virtue. The choice to represent virtues through female figures is interesting, as it provided women with examples of powerful, moral attributes, at a time when they were excluded from public life. "Una Virtù" invites us to reflect on the ways in which art has historically shaped our understanding of virtue and morality. It also prompts us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of these ideals, as we contemplate the figure's humanity.