Fraude, a dupla face da injustiça

Abstract

This article analises the double faced figure of the fresco of "The Good and Bad Judge", in the context of legal theory and depictions of law in renaissance art . The fresco decorates the audience chamber of the old town hall of the municipality of Monsaraz, a medieval town situated in the south of Portugal, near the border with Spain. The distinctiveness of its iconography makes it unique and rare artwork in the context of european painting. The enigmatic personage with the double sided face is the main focus of the study because it is the figure with the greatest complexity and symbolic meaning. The moral symbolism of the Bad Judge - depicted through various atributes and types- is built up through the almost impercebtible influences of three strong models: Giotto, Dante-Ripa and Holbein. Beginning with the idea/image of Injustice in Giotto, the author of the fresco adopts the model of the representation of the Corrupt Judge in Holbein. This is then reinforced with the various vices, which are atributes of Fraud, in Dante-Ripa. The unjust judge is thus subsumed into the personification of Fraud, which incorporates the great wheel of vices. Lastly the moral significance of the concepts of law and justice are analised, as represented in the fresco through the figure of the Bad Judge.