"Nihil est Virtute Amabilius" (Nothing is Sweeter than Virtue) Inscribed on the front of the Gage Academy Building
In the fourth year of the Aristides Atelier, the students are challenged to formulate a thesis project. Students have the option of either creating a series of works, or studies leading up to a comprehensive painting.
For my thesis, I chose to depict people I've encountered in my life who embody the seven virtues: Fides (Faith), Spes (Hope), Caritas (Charity), Temperantia (Temperance), Prudentia (Prudence), Fortitudo (Fortitude) and Aequitas Equitas (Justice). Research was conducted regarding historical treatment of the virtues, both in paintings and literature, as well as the symbols, colors and gestures associated with each virtue. This research was taken into consideration when developing the composition. Once the composition was designed, studies were done of each person with the goal of working from the studies to create a multi-figure painting of the seven virtues in a contemporary setting.
