Allegorical Figure of Fortitude, with Coat of Arms Above n.d.

Giovanni Battista Coriolano made this drawing, "Allegorical Figure of Fortitude, with Coat of Arms Above", with pen and brown ink, and brown wash on paper. The sepia ink wash gives depth and shadow to the linear quality of the drawing, creating a sense of dimension. It shows a figure of fortitude, surrounded by cherubs, a lion, and architectural elements like columns. This use of pen and ink was a cornerstone of disseminating visual ideas and aesthetics to wider audiences, and the texture of the paper is visible beneath the ink. The drawing shows how critical printing and publishing were to artistic production in the 17th century. The artist’s skilled hand brought the composition to life, but it was the printing press that replicated these images, embedding them into the cultural fabric. The drawing is as much an image, as a product of artistic labor. Thinking about this artwork, we can appreciate the blend of skill, material, and social context that shapes its meaning. It reminds us that art and craft are intertwined.