“Allegory of Strength and Wisdom” is an allegorical painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, created between 1740 and 1743. This Rococo masterpiece, executed in oil on canvas, measures 35 x 30 cm and is displayed in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, Italy.
The artwork presents a dynamic and ethereal scene set against a sky filled with soft and delicate clouds. At the center, two figures, embodying Strength and Wisdom, engage in a harmonious and poised interaction. One figure, draped in flowing robes of red and gold, appears to be symbolizing Strength with visible wings and a muscular build. Opposite, a figure in muted tones, possibly representing Wisdom, maintains an upright posture, holding a scroll or parchment, signifying knowledge and discernment. Cherubs flutter around the central figures, adding a sense of movement and celestial grace to the composition. The use of light and shadow, along with the delicate and refined brushstrokes, emphasizes the contrasting yet complementary qualities of strength and wisdom, unified in a divine and timeless narrative.
