Reflections of a Ruler | On Lorenzetti’s Allegory and Effects of the Good and Bad Government

I chose this work by Suzanne Marie Leclair as a response to this week’s lesson about the Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government not just because the painting shows a symbolism of both sides of the government featured in Lorenzetti’s work, but also because the mirror signifies the truth, obstruction and most importantly, self-reflection. I chose a work of art that includes the theme of “reflection” in it because the thing that stuck out to me during our discussion was the fact that the rulers of both the good and bad government (their ways of life) reflect those of the people and the land that they govern. Those who lead hold the responsibility to become the very model for their society. The rulers must reflect the virtues necessary for running a good government free from prejudice and injustice, and according to our lesson, this is also the reason why Lorenzetti’s work was commissioned by the Council of the Nine in the first place—for them to be reminded of the responsibility of not subscribing to tyranny in the heart of their rule to keep Siena in the best possible condition.

The scary and unhinged reflection of the man in the mirror symbolizes the fear that the council had in terms of ruling the city. The fact that the Council of Nine are subject to change after two months only shows and says more of what the moral values of people are; meaning, that they do not trust those in power due to human impulses. This fact solidifies that as human beings, we are readily inclined to indulge in temptations such as corruption and violence. There was an active sense of suppression to these acts in the fresco, and the man in the mirror can represent that loud option to commit something that is looked down upon in society. The same thing can also be said about the oppressors at this time as most people are already living the realities of the bad government, and the reflection in the mirror shames those leaders who create fronts to deceit their own people. Our country is resting upon the false promises of those who rule us, and little by little, we get to see the effects of Lorenzetti’s Effects of the Bad Government come to life. That being said, us being flawed human beings can ultimately lead us to blindly subscribe to what gives us a kind of “fake” liberty, so we must be able to discern what we deserve in the time of oppression.

Good rulers links themselves to whom they govern by extending the virtues that they uphold, so the people of their society are able to live a harmonious life, free from the penchants of false hope because the surroundings to which they operate are free from evils. A good government must be able to give the needs of its citizens, most especially their freedom, for the people are supposed to be the number one priority of a governance and not just their own whims, for the people of the state must always be involved in the process of erecting a good government.