Virtus Combusta: An Allegory of Virtue

Art Historical Context

Created in the workshop of Andrea Mantegna between 1500 and 1505, *Virtus Combusta: An Allegory of Virtue* is a striking Renaissance engraving executed on laid paper by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia. Measuring just over 10 by 16 inches, this print exemplifies the innovative printmaking practices that flourished in northern Italy at the turn of the sixteenth century. Mantegna’s workshop was renowned for its exploration of classical themes, and this work continues that tradition by presenting virtue in allegorical form, inviting viewers to reflect on moral ideals through symbolic imagery. Engraving allowed such compositions to circulate widely beyond the courts and churches where paintings remained, helping to spread Renaissance ideas about humanism and ethics across Europe. The precise lines and tonal contrasts achieved in this medium highlight the technical skill of da Brescia, who translated designs from Mantegna’s circle into durable prints. As a gift to the National Gallery of Art from W.G. Russell Allen, the sheet preserves an important example of how early printmakers bridged art, philosophy, and public education during a transformative period in Western culture.