April. Fresco in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) - Triumph of Venus 1470

This detail of the “Triumph of Venus” is a fresco made by Francesco del Cossa, painted in the Palazzo Schifanoia in the 15th century. Here we witness a complex dance of gender roles and societal expectations. Renaissance society placed women within a rigid framework, often valuing them for their beauty, chastity, and ability to produce heirs. The women depicted here are adorned in finery, embodying ideals of beauty and virtue. But these women are not simply passive objects of admiration. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle expressions, the knowing glances, and the gestures. Del Cossa both embraces and subverts traditional representations. On one hand, he adheres to the conventions of courtly love and feminine virtue. On the other, he infuses the scene with a sense of dynamism and agency. He seems to suggest that women are active participants in the game of love and desire. They navigate the complexities of courtly life, perhaps asserting their own desires.