Allegory of Virtue and Vice

Lotto’s beginnigs were probably with Bellini, but by 1505 he already showed astonishing originality. This small allegorical scene, which originally served as a hinged panel covering a portrait of Bernardo de’ Rossi, Bishop of Treviso (now in the Naples Museum), is comparable in its scale and strangeness of mood to the ‘poesie’ of Giorgione and may even anticipate them in date.

The churchman’s shield facing to the left signifies that during his life he chose the narrow path of learning and virtue symbolized by the child with instruments indicating learning. In contrast, on the right, are symbolized disaster and dissipation in the shipwreck, storm, and wine-loving satyr.