Prudentia 1570 - 1582

Alessandro Allori rendered this drawing of Prudentia with black chalk. She holds a mirror, a symbol that stretches back to antiquity, used to represent wisdom and self-knowledge. Here, Prudentia isn't merely admiring her reflection; she's engaging in a deep introspection, a practice of looking inward to understand the true nature of things. The mirror, reflecting both the external and internal, becomes a tool for discerning truth from illusion, a motif seen mirrored in Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait, and later in photography, where the reflected image creates a tangible memory. The act of contemplation invites us to consider the cyclical nature of self-awareness. Like a snake biting its own tail, the image suggests a constant process of reflection and renewal, revealing layers of meaning that resonate with the human psyche across time. This Prudentia embodies a powerful force, urging us to confront ourselves, question our actions, and strive for a more thoughtful existence.