Fortuna 1600 - 1615

Giambologna cast this bronze Fortuna in the late 16th century, capturing the elusive Roman goddess of chance. Note her attributes: the billowing sail in her raised hand, symbolizing the winds of fate, and the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, she once held, signifying abundance and prosperity. These emblems appear throughout history, from ancient Roman coins to Renaissance paintings. Fortuna's sail echoes the wings of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, both harnessing unseen forces. Even her bare foot resting on a sphere—now lost—links her to depictions of Prudence, a figure symbolizing wisdom and foresight, navigating the uncertainties of life. Consider how the psychological weight of "chance" impacts this image. The subconscious desire to control the uncontrollable, to grasp fortune, perhaps explains Fortuna's enduring appeal. This image, so laden with symbolic weight, isn't just a representation, it's a cultural echo. Fortuna’s symbols continue to resurface, adapted, re-imagined, speaking to our perennial anxieties about the whims of fate.