PAUL VERONESE (1528-1588) ALLEGORIES OF WISDOM AND STRENGTH AND VIRTUE AND VICE Canvas, each 65 3/4 inches by 86 inches

IN the "Allegory of Wisdom and Strength" Wisdom is represented by a beautiful woman richly dressed. Her head is lifted to the sky, and surmounted by a sun, while a globe rolls at her feet. She seems entirely occupied with the contemplation of celestial things, disdaining honors and the vanities of the age. Hercules who accompanies her is the symbol of strength and firmity. He is clothed with the skin of a lion of the Nemean forest is his feet. At the base of the column in the background are the words "Omnia Vanitas,"—"all is vanity." On the cornice of the ornament is the Latin inscription "Honor et Virtus post mortem florent"—"honor and virtue flourish after death."

The three figures in the other picture are an allegory in which many think that Veronese himself is represented, but it is more likely to have represented the picture for whom the picture was painted. vice is the figure of a woman with the hands of a harpy. She is holding a pack of cards and leans toward a man who is fleeing from her. He throws himself into the arms of Virtue, who approaches and holds him. Vice is seated , and underneath her drapery is perceived the bust of a sphinx and a poignard. Figuratively the sphinx is an impenetrable person an individual capable of invention difficult questions and problems an enigma.

Engraved: "Galleries du Palais ROyal," by J. Couchi. Paris, 1786, Vol. II., plates III. and IV. of the Venetian School. "Recueil d'Estampes d'apres less Plus Beaux Tableaux," Paris, 1729, Vol. II. Described on p. 67, Vol. II., of the "Recueil d'Estampes."

33