Allegory of Fortitude 

Editor: This is "Allegory of Fortitude" by Francesco Rosaspina. It's a drawing, presumably charcoal. There’s a seated female figure in classical garb, leaning on a column next to a lion. It gives me a sense of stoic strength, almost resignation. What's your take on it? Curator: This work, drawing from neoclassicism, begs us to consider fortitude beyond mere physical strength. The female figure, rather than embodying traditionally masculine power, presents a gentler, more nuanced fortitude. Note the oak branch – a symbol of endurance, but held delicately. Editor: So it’s not about aggressive force? Curator: Precisely. Rosaspina prompts us to dissect what "fortitude" signified within its historical context. Was it aligned with empire, or could it be a more personal, resilient virtue? Think about the societal pressures on women during the time – what kind of "strength" were they encouraged to display, and to what end? Editor: Interesting. I was so focused on the classicism, I missed those layers. The figure is female but there is helmet that refers to a male-dominated world. Curator: Yes. We are navigating shifting ideals. Her dominion over the lion could suggest controlled, inner strength instead of martial aggression. It invites an intersectional read. Editor: That helps to put it in perspective. I now see it challenges rather than simply accepts conventional ideas about virtue and strength. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, by examining artwork through multiple lenses we begin to appreciate the social and political currents of both its creation and reception.