Vultus trifrons or an Allegory of Prudence 1337 - 1358

"Vultus trifrons or an Allegory of Prudence" is a marble sculpture created by the Italian artist Pacio Bertini da Firenze between 1337 and 1358. The sculpture, which is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, depicts a bust with three faces, representing the three aspects of prudence: memory, intelligence, and foresight. The sculpture, a masterful example of early Renaissance sculpture, is notable for its realistic portrayal of the human form and its allegorical subject matter. This allegory of prudence was a popular motif in medieval and Renaissance art, symbolizing wisdom and good judgment.