Allegory of Happiness

The sixteen allegorical figures around the central painting on the ceiling of the Sala dell’Albergo are portrayed in forced and artificial poses and attitudes of truly Mannerist origin. They were particularly studied by Tintoretto in preliminary drawings. In these allegories, the perspective-illusionistic effect presents the figures in formal solutions of flowing complexity.

The figure is recognized as Happiness based on the inscription found on the preliminary drawing in the Uffizi, Florence. While the legs are bent, following an idea by Vasari, the bust is turned towards the front in a clear harmony of dark green and bright red.