Fortitude and Justice 1560 - 1577

This is Fortitude and Justice, a pen and brown ink drawing by Hans Speckaert, made around 1570 in the Netherlands. The artist depicts two allegorical figures seated on clouds surrounded by cherubs. On the left, Fortitude rests her hand on a broken column; on the right, Justice holds scales, their symbolic weight relevant to the social structures of the time. Speckaert was part of the Mannerist movement, and this drawing reflects an interest in idealized forms, complex compositions, and the use of allegory. The cultural context of the Netherlands in the late 16th century was marked by religious and political upheaval, with the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule underway. In this environment, the concepts of fortitude and justice would have been particularly resonant, representing virtues needed to navigate the turbulent times. By studying the social and political conditions of Speckaert's time, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's meaning and its relevance to the people who lived during this period.