Fortune with a Purse Guido Reni (1575-1642)

In this painting, commonly titled Fortune with a Purse, we see a depiction of the allegorical figure of Fortune. She is a nude woman with long, flowing blonde hair, seemingly in motion, possibly running or flying through a cloudy sky. Her body is illuminated, highlighting her form against the blue expanse.
In her raised right hand, Fortune holds a bell from which gold coins are spilling out, symbolizing the fleeting and often capricious nature of wealth. A long, pink sash, also caught in the wind, drapes across her body and trails behind her. In her left arm, she clutches a bundle of leaves, possibly representing natural bounty or growth.
A winged cherub, or Cupid, is depicted to her right, actively pulling on the pink sash. The cherubs action suggests an attempt to either control or perhaps hasten Fortunes movement.
In the foreground, a dark, curved form, possibly a sphere or a globe, hovers beneath Fortunes legs. This element could symbolize the Earth, the world over which Fortune presides, or perhaps the unpredictable cycle of fate.
The subtexts of this painting revolve around the themes of wealth, fate, and their uncontrollable nature. The spilling coins from the bell directly represent the unpredictable nature of fortune – it can be gained and lost swiftly. The wind-swept hair and sash of Fortune emphasize her swiftness and elusiveness. The cherubs action could symbolize human desire to grasp or direct fortune, which is often futile. The globe in the foreground reinforces the idea that Fortunes influence extends over the entire world, and her movements are a powerful force within it. The overall composition evokes a sense of dynamism and the ephemeral quality of earthly riches and destiny.