Fortitude 1598 - 1601

Jan Saenredam's engraving, Fortitude, was created in the Netherlands during the late 16th or early 17th century. The image shows a female allegorical figure of Fortitude, in classical garb, leaning against a broken column. The print makes meaning through its engagement with classical visual codes. The broken column against which Fortitude leans alludes to inner strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. The classical style—popular in the Netherlands during this period—references the Roman concept of virtus, or moral excellence. Here we can see Fortitude presented not as an innate quality, but as a virtue to be acquired. This was a period of religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. Prints like this one would have been popular amongst those seeking moral guidance in uncertain times. Art historians consult a variety of sources in interpreting the meanings of such images: emblem books, dictionaries of symbols and the writings of classical authors. These historical sources reveal the crucial role of social and institutional context in the interpretation of art.