Fortitudo

A female personifcation of Fortitude whose stands looking to the right, holding a column with both hands.

Etching, 1540 circa, lettered in lower left corner 'FP'.

After a subject by Parmigianino.

A fine work, printed on contemporary laid paper without watermark, trimmed to platemark or with thin margins, light abrasion on lower left corner, otherwise on excellent condition.

The subject is the allegory of one of the "Four cardinal virtues", recognized in classical antiquity and in traditional Christian theology. Courage (Latin: fortitudo): also termed fortitude, forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation

The real identity of Monogrammist FP is still unknown, though some scholars tried to match him with Antonio Fantuzzi. Almost all of his works derive from Parmigianino’s drawings, characteristic he shares with Fantuzzi and that still makes people think they might be the same person. Some studies on the peculiar way of carving state that he might be Mazzola himself, a theory we however exclude.