En quête de renommée

In Pursuit of Fame. - Representations of Fame are few and appear late, despite the wide use enjoyed by the term. A frequent theme in Roman art, Fame is not, however, part of the Biblical tradition and so the medieval artist lacks the incentive to personify it. Moreover, the Virgilian Fama (the Bad Fame) is too pagan a concept. The Allegory owes its success essentially to Petrarch's illustrations. Here the chariot serves as an element of dissociation between what is shown and its significance, making possible the Allegory's integration into the Christian discourse. A deeper perception of the theme, developed by a more elaborate picturalisation, and furthermore, its association with ancient models, lead to its revival. This evolution stems from a change in perspectives : man, passive at first, sets forth in pursuit of fame.