Sulpicia was chosen in the 3rd century bc from among a hundred women in rome as the most worthy to dedicate a statue to the goddess venus verticordia, protector of women. Before an imaginary view of the city of rome, sulpicia holds a model of the temple of the goddess. The painting is one of eight surviving related panels depicting roman men and women who exemplified virtuous behavior. The series was probably made to celebrate the marriage in 1493 of silvio di bartolomeo piccolomini (a relative of pope pius ii) and was intended to provide moral examples for the bridal couple. The artist's fascination with antiquity is visible not only in the subject matter but also in the classicizing linear gracefulness of the human form and the ornament of the base. Date: between circa 1493 and circa 1495 (Renaissance). Place of creation: Siena, Italy. Dimensions: Painted surface H including strips added on all sides: 42 1/2 x W: 18 11/16 in. (108 x 47.5 cm); Panel height: 106.7 cm (42 in); width: 46.3 cm (18.2 in); depth: 2.1 cm (0.8 in). Medium: tempera and oil on panel. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Pietro di Francesco degli Orioli - Sulpicia - Walters 37616
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