Allegories of the Virtues and Vices (specifically: Hope, Envy, and Despair)
Fresco painting (original); the image shown appears to be a modern printed reproduction/postcard. • Giotto di Bondone
Style & Movement
Proto-Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Original: Fresco in monochrome (Grisaille) technique. Reproduction: Offset lithography on cardstock.
Creation Period
Original created circa 1305. This print is 20th or 21st century.
Dimensions & Format
The original frescoes are approx. 120 x 60 cm each. This reproduction is a landscape-oriented postcard-sized printed panel.
Subject Description
Three allegorical figures from the Scrovegni Chapel. From left to right: 'Spes' (Hope) reaching for a crown; 'Invidia' (Envy) with a snake emerging from her mouth biting her forehead; and 'Desperatio' (Despair) depicted as a hanging figure. The figures are rendered to look like marble sculptures set into niches.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as a reproduction). The image shows some glare and surface wear on the printed card.
Estimated Market Value
$1 - $10 (for the printed card)
Auction Estimate
$0 - $5
Provenance History
Originals are in situ at the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. This specific item appears to be a souvenir print or exhibition card.
Art Historical Significance
Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel represent a revolutionary shift toward naturalism and three-dimensional form, marking the traditional beginning of Western painting's Renaissance era.
Notable Features
The use of grisaille (painting in shades of grey to mimic sculpture) was highly innovative for the early 14th century and demonstrates Giotto's mastery of volume and architectural space.
Condition Issues
Visible surface glare from photography; minor edge wear on the cardstock.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in an acid-free sleeve if intended for a collection; avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of industrial inks.