ANDREA MANTEGNA (1431-1506)
'The Triumph of the Virtues - Minerva Expelling the Vices from the Garden of Virtue', 1502


Fit for a King: Slave To Nothing album cover  October 14, 2014 
Solid State Record Label


The top artwork is by Andrea Mantegna, an Italian Renaissance painter who was a proponent of humanism. His work showed detailed humans and a 3D feel to the work. (Foundation) I smiled as soon as I saw this work because it had the same energy as a metalcore band's album cover that I listened to. The second piece of art, the album cover for Fit For a King, shows a being breaking its chains from its vices. Their whole album is about killing what kills you, freeing yourself from vices. I get the same feeling from Triumph of the Virtues, the battle to overcome vices and the things corrupting us.

Every time I look at the artwork, I see greater details, colors, and more of the story. I am amazed by the clouds, sky, background elements of the hills, and what appear to be mountains beyond the tall gates. It is darker and shadowed in the foreground along the gate; the vices are in a disturbing-looking marsh. I can feel the chaos, heightened emotions, fear, and rage in Mantegna's work. 

I would love to own a copy of this; I love the presentation, the colors, the meaning behind it, and how it reminds me of my favorite band. One of my favorites of this time period. 

"These vices are seen being chased from the garden as is evident in the triumph of the virtues. This is not an easy task since the vices have control of the garden as they rule it. It will require Minerva to exert real effort to ensure that the battle is won. Without proper effort, it will not be possible to defeat the vices." (Gurney)


The description from Tom Gurney is exactly how the albums lyrics are portrayed; through all these years, the battle over vice and the attempt to be virtuous still rages on. 


 

Foundation, Art. “Andrea Mantegna Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/mantegna-andrea/#:~:text=Mantegna%20was%20a%20proponent%20of%20humanism%2C%20empowered%20by,home%20under%20the%20patronage%20of%20the%20Gonzaga%20family. Accessed 17 June 2024.

Gurney, Tom. “Triumph of the Virtues.” Triumph of the Virtues by Andrea Mantegna, TheHistoryOfArt.org, 19 June 2020, www.thehistoryofart.org/andrea-mantegna/triumph-of-the-virtues/. 

Comments

  1. anandamousJune 20, 2024 at 7:52 PM


    Hello Jordan,
    I enjoyed your post about Andrea Mantegna's 'The Triumph of the Virtues'. I particularly liked your discussion of the Fit for a King album cover, it highlights the timeless theme of battling vices and striving for virtue. Your descriptions of the painting’s details and emotional impact are well done as well. To make your analysis even better, you could consider diving deeper into Mantegna’s techniques and symbolism. You could explore how the representation of virtues and vices has evolved over time in art and music. Overall, your personal connection to the piece makes for quite an engaging read.

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