Claudia Quinta c. 1490 - 1495

Neroccio de' Landi painted this panel of Claudia Quinta in the late 15th century. The painting refers to a Roman story, a mythologized account of female virtue tested. Claudia Quinta proved her chastity by miraculously moving a boat stranded in the Tiber River, carrying an image of the goddess Cybele. Neroccio was from Siena, a city-state that cultivated a unique artistic style, deliberately archaic, and resistant to the dominant Florentine culture. The image reflects the values of its time; a woman's worth was closely tied to her sexual purity and her ability to uphold the honor of her family and community. Artists were under pressure to embody and reinforce these values. For a deeper understanding of the cultural and political context of this painting, explore historical texts, social histories of Renaissance Italy, and studies of gender roles in the period. Art history thrives on interdisciplinary research, revealing the intricate connections between art and society.