Fortitude (Fortitudio) 1560

Curator: Here we see Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "Fortitude," an engraving that presents a complex allegory. Editor: My immediate reaction is one of intense activity. The composition feels very busy, almost chaotic. Curator: Bruegel, who died in 1569, situates Fortitude amidst a panorama of warfare and monstrous figures, reflecting the tumultuous times. It really speaks to the socio-political environment of the era. Editor: The material execution, through the printmaking process, is fascinating too. The way he builds up the scene with all those fine lines, must have been laborious. Curator: Absolutely, and the image underscores the virtue of inner strength against external chaos, a common Renaissance theme. It's interesting to consider how the print's distribution would have affected public perceptions of such ideas. Editor: It makes me think about the materials, the labor to produce such a complex image, and how those things impacted the reception and understanding of fortitude itself. Curator: Thinking about Bruegel's choices in that light gives a rich understanding of the piece. Editor: Indeed, considering the production expands how we relate to its meaning.