BAMBAIA
(b. 1483, Busto Arsizio, d. 1548, Milano)

Virtues of the Monument to Gaston de Foix: Fortitude

1515-22
Marble, height 72 cm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

In addition to the effigy of Gaston de Foix in the Castello Sforzesco, Milan, a large number of fragments of the monument survive. Three statuettes of Virtues in the Victoria and Albert Museum also formed part of the monument.

The picture represents Fortitude, one of the Virtues (Charity, Truth, Fortitude) in London. The statue representing Fortitude shows her wearing a classical robe draped over her left shoulder. Her head is covered by a veil. She clings with both hands to a column. The pose of Fortitude is adapted from Leonardo's Leda.