Cookies disclaimer

Our site saves small pieces of text information (cookies) on your device in order to deliver better content and for statistical purposes. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. By browsing our website without changing the browser settings you grant us permission to store that information on your device.
I accept I refuse

Vai al contenuto principale Vai al footer

Allegory of Prudence

Giovan Maria Butteri 1590

In the rooms dedicated to the painters of the 16th century, these three elegant and sinuous female figures stand out, bathed in a clear light that highlights the careful design of the drapery. Attributed for stylistic reasons to Giovan Maria Butteri, a pupil of Agnolo Bronzino, the three canvases with Prudence, Faith and Temperance are the only survivors of a lost cycle of Allegories of Virtues. The use of this type of representation, used since medieval times, was still popular in the 16th century, to the extent that in 1593 Cesare Ripa published the Iconologia, a collection of images accompanied by allegorical figures.

Technical information

Author
Giovan Maria Butteri
Title
Allegory of Prudence
Date
1590
Material and technique
Oil on canvas
Size
82x67 cm
Location
Palazzo Pretorio Museum
Second Floor
The three Virtues are represented with their traditional attributes: Prudence with a mirror, referencing self-knowledge, firmly grasps a snake as Sacred Scripture urges us to be “prudent as serpents”, Faith is connoted by the Christian symbols of the cross, chalice and host, while Temperance holds a cup and jug in her hands, an allusion sometimes to the mixing of hot and cold water, others to the act of “tempering” water and wine to dampen the effects of intoxication. The allegories are inspired in clothing by classic models, in accordance with the custom of referring to the past and the fashion of the day. The uniform niche background underlines its statuary poses, made dynamic by its sinuous and sharp lines and cool and changing colours, dazzled by a strong light.
A long-time collaborator of Alessandro Allori, who, like him, had been a pupil of Bronzino, Butteri revived his style, later achieving, as these three works demonstrate, a greater stylisation of forms and a graphic insistence that he may have perfected when working on drawings for the Medici tapestry. Associated with the grand ducal court, he often painted ornaments and decorations for weddings or other celebrations, as is also shown by the beautiful coat of arms celebrating Ferdinando I de' Medici, from the Spedale della Misericordia e Dolce hospital, now on display in the mayor's chambers in the Town Hall.  
Butteri also had other commissions in the Prato area: the altar piece depicting the Virgin Mary and Child with Saints, painted around 1586 in the Vaiano Abbey, which also houses a Crucifix by the artist, is well-known. He probably also provided the design for the refined Antependium of St. Stephen now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, donated by Cardinal Alessandro de' Medici, the future Pope Leo XI, around 1590.
 

Last update: 05 december 2024, 15:47

How clear is the information on this page?

What were your favorite aspects of this page? 1/2

Where did you encounter the greatest difficulties? 1/2

Would you like to add more details? 2/2

Max 200 characters