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Ethical Themes and Subjects

Russian

Pinacotheca Philosophica

Philosophy and Philosophers in Art

Ethical Themes and Subjects

· Botticelli. La Primavera (Allegory of Spring) (1477-1478, Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi)

The painting is a Neoplatonic allegory depicting the Soul’s ascension from the material to the spiritual world. The central figure is Venus embodying celestial (Platonic) Love. On the right, the nymph Chloris is pursued by Zephyr (this allusion to an episode from Ovid’ Fasti, Book 5, 195-212, “May 3”, symbolises the Soul’s enslavement by worldly passions), but manages to escape and is transformed into Goddess Flora portrayed as La Primavera (the Spring; the escape symbolizes liberation of the Soul and her reunion with the Divine). On the left, the three Graces are blessed by Venus; they are, from right to left, Pulchritudo (Beauty), Chastitas (Chastity), and Voluptas (Pleasure). Voluptas’ eyes are fixed on Pulchritudo, for Beauty is the true source of Pleasure. Eros above is aiming his arrow at Chastitas who has turned her back to the mundane world (and to us, the spectators) and is looking at Mercury who, as Hermes Trismegistos, is the embodiment of Wisdom in the Neoplatonic Tradition. Mercury is holding the caduceus, his magic staff held to symbolise secret Knowledge.

o Chastitas

o Chloris

o Eros

o Flora (La Primavera)

o Mercury (Hermes Trismegistos)

o Pulchritudo

o Venus

o Voluptas

o Zephyr

· Bronzino. Allegory of Happiness (1564, Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi)

· Hecht-Nielsen. Passion, Will, and Reason (private collection)

· Lemoyne Fran?ois. Time Saving Truth from Falsehood and Envy (1737, London, Wallace Collection)

· Mei. Allegory of Fortune (1660s, Rome, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica)

· Perugino. Prudence and Justice with Six Antique Wisemen (1497, Perugia, Collegio del Cambio)

o Justice

o Prudence

· Raphael. The Cardinal Virtues (15011, Rome, Vatican, Stanza della Segnatura)

o Fortitude

o Temperance

o Wisdom

· Reichert. The Cynic and the Philosopher (Private collection)

· Taddeo di Bartolo. Allegories and Figures from Roman History (1413-1414, Siena, Palazzo Pubblico)

o Justice

o Magnanimity

· Masters of Campione (14th century). St. Augustine’s Tomb: General View (1362, Pavia, San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro)

o St. Augustine’s Tomb: Rear View

o St. Augustine’s Tomb: Side View

o St. Augustine’s Tomb: The Front Side

o St. Augustine’s Tomb: The Rear Side

o Faith: A Statuette from the Tomb’s Front Side

o Hope and Apostle James: Statuettes from the Tomb’s Front Side

o Hope: Detail of a Statuette from the Tomb’s Front Side

o Apostle Andrew and Charity: Statuettes from the Tomb’s Front Side

o Justice: A Statuette from the Tomb’s Rear Side

o Matthew: A Statuette from the Tomb’s Rear Side

o Humility: A Statuette from St. Augustine’s Tomb

o Chastity: A Statuette from St. Augustine’s Tomb

o Obedience: A Statuette from St. Augustine’s Tomb

o Prudence: A Statuette from St. Augustine’s Tomb

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