A Representation of Fides by Ambrogio Lorenzetti

Abstract

One of the most puzzling representations of the three Theological Virtues appears in the altarpiece by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in the Palazzo Municipale of Massa Marittima (Fig. 1).¹ The altarpiece represents the enthroned Madonna adored by saints and angels, and the presence of the three Christian virtues in such a painting is unusual. Ambrogio's picture was, in fact, long considered the first of its kind. Recently, however, Millard Meiss identified an earlier Madonna with saints and virtues as a panel by the Master of the Stefaneschi Altarpiece.² This would seem to be the earliest known representation of the subject, and as Professor Meiss suggests, it may well reflect a prototype by Giotto himself. The unusual image of the Caritas figure in the Massa altar has been brought to our attention by R. Freyhan.³ Since Ambrogio's Faith is no less interesting than his Charity, the purpose of this note is to throw some light upon its immediate origin.