Fortitude c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Fortitude" by Giuseppe Niccolò Vicentino, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a figure, perhaps female, kneeling and striking a column. The sepia tones give it an aged, almost defiant quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful interrogation of classical ideals. "Fortitude," often associated with masculine strength, is here embodied by a figure actively dismantling a symbol of power: the column. Consider the socio-political context; what narratives about strength and gender might Vicentino be challenging? Editor: So, it's not just about strength, but also about questioning established power structures? Curator: Precisely. And who gets to wield that power. How does this image, through its deliberate subversion of classical imagery, speak to ongoing struggles for equality and justice? Editor: I never thought about it that way before. I appreciate that context. Curator: It's crucial to consider art as active participants in cultural conversations, constantly reshaping our understanding of ourselves and the world.