Triumph of Chastity and Triumph of Love

Theis panel from a marriage chest depicts two Petrarchan “triumphs”, those of chastity and love. In the center is the escutcheon of the Sambonifacio family; the keyhole of the chest is still visible above it. At left Chastity advances in a chariot drawn by white unicorns, hoisting the banner of the ermine. She is accompanied by a coterie of virgins, among whom Lucretia of ancient Roman legend can be recognized. From the opposite direction arrives the chariot of Love driven by excited white horses that allude to the senses given free rein. The banner bears the emblem of the wild pig. A man, prisoner of his passions, is seated nude and bound while Cupid standing behind takes aim with his bow. Among the figures surrounding the chariot are a satyr, a pair of lovers and a caricature of Aristotle being whipped by Campaspe (a popular medieval legend), a reminder that even the wisest of men can be enslaved by the senses.