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Simone Cantarini

Fortune

1632/48
Etching on cream laid paper
23.7 × 14.5 cm (9.3 × 5.7 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Fortune, the goddess of chance and luck, accidentally spills her coin purse out into the heavens, an act that symbolizes the goddess’s arbitrary nature. A winged putto alerts Fortune to this act of blind fate by pulling her hair back from her eyes. Cantarini likely completed this print while under the tutelage in Mantua of his mentor, Guido Reni (Italian, 1575–1642). Reni was widely known for his painting of Fortune, and several etchings, including this one, were made after its likeness. But the two artists later grew estranged. Cantarini’s squabbles continued; he later assaulted a Mantuan painter, who may have retaliated by poisoning him.

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More by Simone Cantarini

Male HeadMale HeadJupiter, Neptune, and Pluto offering their crowns to the arms of Cardinal BorgheseJupiter, Neptune, and Pluto offering their crowns to the armSketches of Male Nudes, Legs (recto); Sketches of Male Nudes (verso)Sketches of Male Nudes, Legs (recto); Sketches of Male NudesHalf-Figure of a Youth with His Right Arm RaisedHalf-Figure of a Youth with His Right Arm RaisedSaint SebastianSaint SebastianMadonna and Child seated on clouds and surrounded by angels, copy in reverse after CantariniMadonna and Child seated on clouds and surrounded by angels,The "Quos Ego"The "Quos Ego"Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto offering their crowns to the arms of Cardinal BorgheseJupiter, Neptune, and Pluto offering their crowns to the arm

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