Allegory of Virtue and Vice (Lotto)

The Allegory of Virtue and Vice (also sometimes referred to as The Choice of Hercules) is a painting by Lorenzo Lotto, likely completed around the early to mid-1500s, generally dated to the 1500s to 1505 or 1505 to 1510. It depicts a young man, generally interpreted as Hercules, standing at a crossroads and facing a choice between two paths represented by allegorical female figures. To his left stands Virtue, typically depicted as a slender, modestly dressed figure gesturing towards a difficult and rocky path leading upwards. To his right is Vice, usually shown as a richly adorned and seductive figure pointing towards a path of ease and pleasure.

The painting embodies the classical theme of Hercules at the Crossroads, a popular subject in Renaissance art that explores the moral decision between a life of virtue and one of vice. Lotto's interpretation emphasizes the challenging nature of the virtuous path and the alluring temptation of vice.

The work is considered an important early example of Lotto's artistic style and his engagement with humanist themes. It is noted for its vibrant colors, detailed rendering of fabrics and figures, and symbolic use of landscape to reinforce the moral message. The painting’s current location is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its provenance has been traced back through various private collections, solidifying its status as a significant piece of Renaissance art. The figures within the work, particularly the representation of virtue and vice, have been subject to extensive scholarly analysis, with interpretations focusing on Lotto's personal beliefs and the prevailing philosophical currents of his time.