The Majesty is not just a religious fresco, it has a lot of political character. The Balzana, the Sienese coat of arms, is depicted on the canopy. Moreover, more importantly, baby Jesus, in his mother's arms, holds a parchment in his hand that is right in the center of the fresco. The words above read: Diligite iustitiam qui iudicatis terram. That is: Love justice, you who govern the earth. It is a nice warning to those who, in the Mappamondo room where the fresco is located, governed and established the laws of the state.
It is also worth dwelling on the Good Government fresco, in the so-called Sala della Pace. It was painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, commissioned by the Government of the Nine, between 1338 and 1339. It is perhaps the first example of civil art, the first cycle of frescoes in which the subject is not religious. Represents the Senese Utopia. Perfection is depicted on the smaller wall of the room, in front of the large windows: the old man dressed in white and black is the common good. On its sides are the virtues. Below are the Sienese citizens, the she-wolf, symbol of the city, and the outlaws duly brought to justice. The effects of good governance in the city and in the countryside appear on the wall on the right. Conversely, on the opposite wall, tyranny is depicted. If the tyrant rules, then the virtues will disappear and here comes the vices. At their feet, justice is in chains. Both the city and the countryside will be desolate and in ruins, punctuated by episodes of violence everywhere.



(click on the image to enlarge)

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