Hero

TitleAllegory of Virtue and Vice (The Choice of Hercules)

SubjectAllegory – Virtue Allegory – Vice

DescriptionAt a crossroads, Hercules encountered Vice, who offered a path of ease and pleasure, and Virtue, who indicated a rugged ascent leading to true happiness a moral lesson underlined by the motto on the entablature at upper left: [HO]NOR ET VIRTUS/[P]OST MORTE FLORET (Honor and Virtue Flourish after Death). The long talons of Vice have ripped the hero’s stocking. A jagged knife leans against the breast of the sphinx supporting her throne. This painting is one of the Frick s two large canvases by Veronese. For additional information, please see the essay about Allegory of Wisdom and Strength.

CreatorPaolo Veronese (Paolo Caliari), European, Southern European, Italian, c.1528-1588

MuseumThe Frick Collection, New York, New York, USA. 12.1.129 Purchased Beginning Date1570

Ending Date1590

Datec. 1580 (circa)

TypePaintings Format (Medium)oil on canvas (lined)

Format (Extent)86 1/4 x 66 3/4 in. (219 x 169.5 cm.)

IdentifierCAMIO: TFC_.Veronese.12-1-129

RightsLicensed for non-commercial, educational use. http://www.frick.org/