St. Charles College:
Allegories of the Virtues in the Cardinals' Hall

Modena, Fondazione Collegio S. Carlo, Sala Cardinali: the ceiling. The Baroque frescoes by Pellegrino Spaggiari and Antonio Consetti with Allegories of the Virtues. Towered over by Minerva, goddess of Science, placed as the protector and guardian of the noble collegians, are the theological virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity) and the cardinal virtues (Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance). Consetti was an Italian painter, born in Modena in 1686 and died in his hometown in 1766. He also founded a drawing academy. Spaggiari was probably born in Reggio Emilia around 1690. In addition to being a painter and decorator, he was an important set designer and worked in various theaters, including in Milan.