# Bad Government and the Effects of Bad Government on the City Life [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [LORENZETTI, Ambrogio]() - Date: 1301-1350 - Technique: Fresco ## Commentary On the wall opposite the Effect of Good Government and to the left of the Good Government Ambrogio painted another fresco called Bad Government and the Effects of Bad Government on the City Life, which uses the same forms and compositional devices as the other frescoes in the room, but inverts them. The malevolent-looking figure representing Bad Government, pointedly labeled as Tyranny, is enthroned and stares hieratically out at the observer.. Neither male nor female, it is fanged, cross-eyed, and porcine, clearly bloated with corruption. In place of the cardinal virtues, personifications of Avarice, Pride, and Vainglory fly over its head. Tyranny is flanked by clearly labeled seated figures representing Cruelty, Treason, and Fraud at the left, and Frenzy, Divisiveness, and War at the right. A bound figure representing Justice lies at its feet. The city to its left is falling into ruin, robbers roam the streets, and, in the foreground, a group of ruffians drags a woman by her hair. Even in its now ruinous condition the image conveys a dire warning. ## Related artworks - [A Group of Four Poor Clares]() - [Allegory of Bad Government \(detail\)]() - [Allegory of the Good Government \(detail\)]() - [Allegory of the Good Government \(detail\)]() - [Allegory of the Good Government \(left view, detail\)]() - [Allegory of the Good Government \(left view, detail\)]() - [Allegory of the Good Government]() - [Altarpiece of St Proculus]() - [Annunciation]() - [Effects of Bad Government on the City Life \(detail\)]() - [Effects of Bad Government on the Countryside \(detail\)]() - [Effects of Good Government on the City Life \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()