Justice, one of the four Cardinal Virtues, is shown seated on an ostrich and carrying the scales and sword which are her attributes. To the right are Punishment and Recompense, and on the left is the masked and serpent-tailed figure of Deceit. Discord and Strife flee to the right while the flying figures above represent the effects of justice: Order, Fame and Security.
This painting is one of a group of 10 modelli, or elaborated oil studies, made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano created for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence. This painting is connected with the ceiling of the Galleria.
