Wisdom and Strength- Veronese

     This painting was made under the same commission as Venus and Mars for the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II of Prague. It has switched owners many times since its creation. Since its' creation in Venice in 1576, it went to Prague where it remained until 1612. The piece was then looted by Queen Christina's army and taken to Sweden where it remained from 1649-1654. The painting traveled through Brussels on its way to Rome where it was owned by 3 different owners ending with a Cardinal. In 1721 the painting made its way to Paris until 1780,  only to make it back to Brussels in 1791 and return to Paris in 1792. The piece remained in (or just outside of) London until 1911when it was transported to New York City. In 1912 Wisdom and Strength by Paolo Veronese was obtained by Henry Clay Frick. It resides today in New York City as part of this collection. Pretty "Frickin" awesome.

     I find it incredible that a piece that has endured so much political turmoil has persevered in the condition it has and that its ownership is so well accounted for. It is somewhat inspiring to think that through all the worldly conflict since 1576, an appreciation of beauty and the arts has always been upheld by someone, somewhere and because of that, we are able to enjoy and account for masterpieces like this.

     The painting is of a woman, the personification of wisdom,  adorned in delicate pink and light blue drapery looking upwards towards the heavens as Hercules, the epitome of strength admires her. He is humbled in her presence and even slumps to draw attention away from his physical perfection, so as to emphasize the superiority of wisdom.

     The contract Veronese obeyed has been lost, but one can assume these pieces represented virtues the Holy Roman Emperor would strive to uphold.

     This piece is a reminder to not be seduced by vanity or excess in any form, for wisdom is always of more value.

     Veronese rendered this masterpiece with the same painterly opulence he is known for. While the extravagance and attention to material detail would not be considered appropriate for Christian subject matter, it was acceptable in the depiction of pagan subjects.

     Unlike previous pieces I've highlighted on this blog, this painting doesn't feature a multitude of figures. The three figures we are given, however, are extraordinary. The light cascades down wisdom, highlighting every luminous detail of her complexion and dress. The chiaroscuro Hercules emerges from is rich and beastly as he also seems to emerge from a crude taxidermy fur. The sky is typical of Veronese. It is impossibly colorful as it plays into a lush and beautiful landscape. This piece is truly a wonder. I can only imagine the effect it must have in person.

Peter Watson, Wisdom and Strength, (New York: Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1989).