fortuna, roman goddess of luck
NickV
fortuna" of Richard Franklin. I have been able to find plenty of information
about Richard Franklin himself ( at http://www.richardfranklinart.com/) but
not about this painting. You can visit that site and see the painting at the
online gallery.
The painting represents a sleeping woman. I asked some people at
art.art.illustration newsgroup and they told me that this woman must be most
possibly Fortuna, the roman goddess of luck. The artist (Richard Franklin)
has made many artworks influenced by Greek or roman mythology. Anyway, i
searched over the net and in some books i have too. I haven't been able to
find any story that has her asleep. Does anyone know any such story?
In the painting, you can also see some old pages on the artwork with latin
text on them. I am also looking information about that pages. What do they
represent (they must be a symbol of something). If there is a myth, in which
that goddess appears sleeping, then i guess this would be the best source to
find information about the picture.
Please, if is possible, reply to me directly.
Thank you for your time
Maggie
I am guessing that Franklin portrait is allegorical rather than a
reference to a specific mythological storyline. As I looked at the
painting I thought of Dante's references to Fortuna in Canto 7 of the
Inferno. Perhaps you should think of this painting in that regard as
an allegory in which Fortuna sleeps innocently even while her impact
destroys the lives of mankind:
68 What is this Fortune which thou speakest of,
69 That has the world's goods so within its clutches?
70 And he to me: O creatures imbecile,
71 What ignorance is this which doth beset you?
72 Now will I have thee learn my judgment of her.
73 He whose omniscience everything transcends
74 The heavens created, and gave who should guide them,
75 That every part to every part may shine,
76 Distributing the light in equal measure;
77 He in like manner to the mundane splendours
78 Ordained a general ministress and guide,
79 That she might change at times the empty treasures
80 From race to race, from one blood to another,
81 Beyond resistance of all human wisdom.
82 Therefore one people triumphs, and another
83 Languishes, in pursuance of her judgment,
.......
94 But she is blissful, and she hears it not;
95 Among the other primal creatures gladsome
96 She turns her sphere, and blissful she rejoices.
Many Blessings,
Maggie Macary, MA
Mythologist
http://www.mythandculture.com
"NickV" <vale...@otenet.gr> wrote in message news:<9qood4$s0c$1...@usenet.otenet.gr>...
Emma
mythology, specifically Roman, greek and celtic.
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