Art Institute of Chicago

Fortitude, plate 36 from Genii and Virtues

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

Date

c. 1465

Medium

Engraving in black on cream laid paper

Culture

Italy

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This delicate work, designed and engraved by an unknown artist, is from a series of 50 prints erroneously thought to be Tarocchi, a deck of tarot cards. The allegorical figures illustrate the breadth of human knowledge and ability: liberal arts and sciences, cardinal and spiritual virtues, and cosmic powers. Here, the personification of strength wears lion armor and holds a broken column—an allusion to the biblical figure Samson, whose final powerful act was toppling a building, killing his captors and himself.

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