Lavinia Fontana’s Prudence: A Personification of Wisdom

Abstract

The first section of this essay deals with an iconographical analysis of Lavinia Fontana's (1552-1614) Prudence or Personification of Wisdom of 1590, while the second part provides an iconological interpretation, demonstrating Fontana's application of emblematic significations. This painting is presently on display at the Galerie Maison d'Art in Monte Carlo. At this time there is lack of knowledge about the patronage of this commission, except from the art gallery's records showing that it acquired the painting from a private collection in New York. 1