Allegory of Wisdom and Strength

The painting is a copy, probably of the 18th century, of the work by Paolo Veronese (Verona 1528 – Venice 1588) Allegory of Wisdom and Strength, presently at the Frick Collection, New York and it depicts an allegorical scene. On the left there is a female figure, luxuriously clad in the popular style of Venetian art, which symbolizes Wisdom as indicated by the light shining over her head; she gazes upwards, with one foot on top of a globe, the symbol of the world. A crown, jewels, money, military emblems are strewn about her feet. On her right, Hercules, in a pose that sets off his strong body, symbolizes pure Force. On the right, underneath Hercules, a cupid is seated. The inscription from Ecclesiastes “OMNIA VANITAS” underpins the concept of superiority of Divine Wisdom over worldly affairs.