The Meek and Selfless Nobleman: ‘Bertuccio’s Bride’

The Meek and Selfless Nobleman: ‘Bertuccio’s Bride’
Bertuccio offers his wealth to save a life. “Bertuccio’s Bride,” 1895, by Edward Robert Hughes. Watercolor and Gouache on White Paper, 39.5 inches by 30 inches. Public Domain
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Sometimes, we hold on tightly to the things in our lives. To avoid suffering and hardship, we might think it’s wise to acquire and hoard as much wealth as possible. But in reality, by focusing on what we lack, or fear we lack, we might cause ourselves many sleepless nights. 
I recently came across a painting by Edward Robert Hughes called “Bertuccio’s Bride,” which displays a grand gesture of willing sacrifice. According to the story of Bertuccio, great wisdom resides in charitable and joyful giving.

The Story of Bertuccio

The story of Bertuccio is told in “The Nights of Straparola” by Giovanni Francesco Straparola, who was a writer during the Italian Renaissance. In order to take a close look at Hughes’s painting, we must first know Bertuccio’s story.
Eric Bess
Eric Bess
Author
Eric Bess, Ph.D., is a fine artist, a writer on art-related topics, and an assistant professor at Fei Tian College in Middletown, New York.
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