Virtue and Nobility 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this ink and wash drawing entitled, "Virtue and Nobility" some time in the 18th century. Here, we see the allegorical figures of Virtue and Nobility, accompanied by a cherubic figure bearing a laurel wreath, a symbol dating back to ancient Greece, representing triumph and honor. Nobility stands assertively, while Virtue, often depicted with wings, guides with a spear. This motif of guidance and aspiration is a recurring theme throughout art history. Consider how similar imagery appears in Renaissance paintings, where divine figures bestow wisdom. Yet, the context shifts: in antiquity, it might signify earthly glory; in the Renaissance, divine grace; here, in Tiepolo's work, perhaps it’s a commentary on societal values, a call to uphold noble virtues. The laurel wreath reappears throughout time, each instance a palimpsest of cultural values and aspirations, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols.