WorkThese casts come from a fourteenth-century capital of the Ducal Palace, dedicated to the Virtues.
The capital includes: Faith, with cross in hand; Fortitude, holding apart the jaws of a lion; Temperance, seen with a pitcher and cup of water; Humility, with a lamb; Charity, offering food to a child; Justice, with a sword; Prudence, holding compasses; Hope, with hands pressed together.
Ruskin on The VirtuesRuskin described the setting of this capital in
The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849):
'The capitals next in order represent the virtues and vices in succession, as preservative or destructive of national peace and power, concluding with Faith, with the inscription "Fides optima in Deo est." A figure is seen on the opposite side of the capital, worshipping the sun. After these, one or two capitals are fancifully decorated with birds, and then come a series representing, first the various fruits, then the national costumes, and then animals of various countries subject to Venetian rule.' (
Works, 8, p. 231)
Ruskin referred to the Virtues 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.' (
Works, 29, p.