Allegory of Virtus or Roma
Chromolithograph, Late 19th C.
Chromolithograph, Late 19th C.
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Allegory of Virtus, the Roman personnification of valor in battle, who was frequently rendered on ancient Roman coins. Her traditional attributes include armor, a spear, shield, and a carved cult statue called a "Victoriola." The Victoriola portrayed a figure representing victory, often with wings spread or standing on a globe holding a wreath and palm branch, which symbolized the power and majesty conferred on a Roman emperor by victory in battle. In this 19th-century version, she is personified by a heroic female warrior figure in a flowing classical costume with cape, her head turned in profile and crowned in laurels, her left hand grasping a shield. Instead of the Victoriola, one hand holds a scepter resting on a large globe, and at her feet are books and rolled documents. She is in a classical arched passageway to the outdoors, flanked by columns decorated with acanthus and supported by corbels. A variant of Virtus was Roma, who personified the city of Rome. This could also have been intended to represent her.
Condition: Very good with the usual light toning and wear. References: "The Empire of Palmyra." http://www.dcatalog.de/mm92/00263h00.htm (27 March 2003). "Virtus." Studying and Collecting the Coins of Rome and Her Cities. http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/rcoins/sub1/art41.htm (27 March 2003). |