WorkThis cast comes from a fourteenth-century capital of the Ducal Palace, dedicated to the philosophers. The capital includes likenesses of Aristotle, Solomon, Priscian (grammarian), Cicero, Pythagorus, Euclid, Tubal Caon (musician), and Ptolemy.
Ruskin on the 'Philosopher's Capital'Ruskin referred to this capital in Letter 77 (May 1877) of
Fors Clavigera:
'By this day's post I send you photographs of two fourteenth-century capitals of the Ducal Palace here. The first is that representing the Virtues; the second, that representing the Sages whose power has been greatest over men.