The cardinal virtue of Fortitude represented by a seated woman, her right hand on a column (possibly a modern impression) 1475 - 1485

This depiction of Fortitude, one of the cardinal virtues, was created anonymously, likely as a print intended for wide distribution. Its appearance is wholly determined by the process used to make it: etching, which involves drawing an image into a prepared ground, then bathing the plate in acid to bite the lines. The character of those lines – thin, precise, and capable of capturing fine detail – gives the figure its form. Look closely, and you can see how the printmaker has used closely spaced lines to create areas of shadow, and more widely spaced lines to suggest areas of light. The paper itself also plays a role, its absorbent surface allowing the ink to settle in a slightly blurry way, softening the image. Prints like this were produced in multiples, and are a direct consequence of early capitalism and the division of labor. This image, meant to inspire virtue, speaks volumes about the social and economic conditions of its making. It reminds us that even the most apparently simple works of art can carry complex histories.