Fortitude before 1540

This small bronze plaquette, titled Fortitude, was created by Peter Flötner in Nuremberg, Germany, during the 16th century. Flötner’s work draws on a visual vocabulary rooted in both classical antiquity and the burgeoning humanism of the Renaissance. Here, a partially nude female figure stands amidst the ruins of classical architecture, leaning against a broken column. While seemingly fragile, her steady gaze and posture suggest inner strength and moral courage. The toppled columns speak to the fragility of human achievement, while the figure’s presence suggests the enduring power of the human spirit. This reflects the cultural climate of the Reformation, which was characterized by the rise of individualism and the questioning of established institutions, including the Church. To fully understand this work, historians look to the study of the Reformation, the history of classical sculpture, and the visual codes of Renaissance humanism, all of which give us a glimpse into the complex social and political landscape of 16th-century Germany.