Effects of Good Government in the City and in the Country

About This Artwork

1338-39, fresco. A rare, non-religious Renaissance art piece, these civic landscapes were some of the first since classical times. These big murals are in the town hall, Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, it kind of doubles as a fortress or stronghold with the additions of crenelations and machicolations (some 50 cent words for you today). They would have these openings in the towers with archers stationed to shoot or people ready to pour hot oil or throw rocks at invaders trying to climb up. Italy was turbulent during the Renaissance, internal war and others wanting to take over. Until 1354, they had 9 council members serve for 2 months to try to avoid corruption. That's where these frescos were, in the Hall of Peace or the Sala dei Nove, which translates to the 'Salon of Nine'. It was commissioned to remind the members of prosperous and harmonious times, but also had the allegory of bad government. In the paintings, we see growing infrastructure and commerce, people working and going about their days in their shops and school, shepherding sheep or playing in the street. It's possible there is some kind of spring festival going on, note the dragonflies and caterpillars on the dancing women's clothes. The caterpillar allegory is especially cool because they will metamorphize into butterflies, symbolizing the well-governed city turning into a beautiful butterfly. The flying figure in the top of the Country landscape is the personification of security, holding a hanged man. Lowkey creepy, but meant to represent an urban paradise for the time.

Artist

Ambrogio Lorenzetti

Location

Palazzo Pubblico, Siena

Date experienced

Saturday, March 28, 2026