Admonitions from GIOTTO di BONDONE for the New Year.
F O R T I T U D E & I N C O N S T A N C Y
HIS ALLEGORIES OF VIRTUE & VICE
SCROVEGNI CHAPEL, PADUA, 1306
H O P E & D E S P A I R
C H A R I T Y & E N V Y
P R U D E N C E & F O O L I S H N E S S
T E M P E R A N C E & W R A T H
J U S T I C E & I N J U S T I C E
F A I T H & I N F I D E L I T Y
F O R T I T U D E & I N C O N S T A N C Y
| Ave Regina/Mater Innocencie |
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Marchetto da Padova composed this motet for the Chapel dedication and it was performed on March 25, 1305.
"Injustice" was selected by Judith Shklar for her book, "The Faces of Injustice," her Storrs Lectures on Jurisprudence at Yale Law School in 1988 (YUP, 1990). Addressing her own question, "when is a disaster a misfortune and when is it an injustice," her observation, "One of the reasons why there is no cure for injustice is that even reasonably upright citizens do not want one" fell quite actively on ears attuned to the rampant epidemic then being ignored by the United States government. I think it is lastingly to her credit that she lent a more vigorous lease on life to this great depiction of Injustice from Padua. That said, you may show us Giotto any day you like!
ReplyDeleteGiotto has haunted me since I was a lowly art major-a visit to the Arena Chapel is on that big trip I long to take. As it stands today-there are many citizens that know what is right but -turn their backs- and look away, a bigger Sin than any. pgt
DeleteThe Seven Vices...a beautiful Emerald, Gold and Diamond 17thC necklace from Spain created originally for the Viceroy of South Americas wife. I had the cherished opportunity of wearing it, thus I suppose offering the other end of the spectrum, that of Virtue!
ReplyDeleteYes, but I think you returned it-and that though with despair, took great fortitude! pgt
DeleteSo fitting for what I'm dealing with today. Thanks!! Oh, when will humans ever learn.
ReplyDeleteMary
with this greatest Hits list from Giotto-at least 1 of the 7 should roll round daily-if not hourly! pgt
DeleteHaunting. Particularly Inconstancy; such emptiness! Utterly undone by the beauty of Faith and Justice, the spring of Hope. Happy New Year, dear pgt.
ReplyDeleteI am particularly struck by Inconstancy, and Wrath-and yes I identify with these two personally. Hopes for the the New Year, pgt
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