The ten dancers featured in the middle of The Effects of Good Government fresco are the subject of many discussions.
It is believed that they are the representation of Venus's children.
It was believed in Lorenzetti's day that there were two manifestations of Venus.
These two sides found their forms in either the legitimate planetary deity, or as the nude goddess born of the sea.
When looking at the depictions of the personifications of the other planets along the fresco borders, we see that they are seen placed in both their houses.
Venus on the other hand is only placed in Taurus, her daytime house.
With this careful choice, Lorenzetti legitimizes her side as a planetary goddess.
This is further enforced with her modest dress, instead of being depicted nude.
Her children then in turn gain the representation of chastity, matrimonial love, friendship, and sociability, all aspects that flourish during daylight hours.
The movement of their dancing mimics the arm movements of Venus, and this in combination with their larger scale, creates and draw emphasis to the resounding message that peace in the city must be found in conjecture with the movements of the Heavens.
The ten dancers featured in the middle of The Effects of Good Government fresco are the subject of many discussions. It is believed that they are the representation of Venus's children. It was believed in Lorenzetti's day that there were two manifestations of Venus. These two sides found their forms in either the legitimate planetary deity, or as the nude goddess born of the sea. When looking at the depictions of the personifications of the other planets along the fresco borders, we see that they are seen placed in both their houses. Venus on the other hand is only placed in Taurus, her daytime house. With this careful choice, Lorenzetti legitimizes her side as a planetary goddess. This is further enforced with her modest dress, instead of being depicted nude. Her children then in turn gain the representation of chastity, matrimonial love, friendship, and sociability, all aspects that flourish during daylight hours. The movement of their dancing mimics the arm movements of Venus, and this in combination with their larger scale, creates and draw emphasis to the resounding message that peace in the city must be found in conjecture with the movements of the Heavens.
The Allegory of Good and Bad Government