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Image

Unknown artist

Allegorical Figure, 1600s

Description

Maker

  • Unknown

Title

Allegorical Figure

Year

1600s

Medium

Pen and ink and wash technique on paper, with graphite underdrawing

Materials/Techniques

Materials

  • pen and ink,
  • wash technique

Supports

  • paper

Dimensions

19.8 x 12.5 cm (7 13/16 x 4 7/8 inches)

Type

  • Works on Paper,
  • Drawings and Watercolors

Credit

Gift of Mr. Eric Wunsch

Object Number

69.183

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Under the Magnifying Glass

September 22, 2000 - January 14, 2001

The stylized drapery folds and modeling of this figure reveal that the artist had an interest in classical art, particularly ancient Roman sculpture. Other drawings in the museum's collection, such as Willem de Mieris's Venus and Cupid and Jan de Bisschop's Madonna and Child, were also influenced by classical Italian models. This drawing was originally attributed to de Bisschop, although the medium is unusual for him. The use of a classical style is neither exclusive to de Bisschop, nor distinctive enough to secure the drawing's date or country of origin. Thus, in this case, scholarly research produces more questions than answers. Even the subject is puzzling. A female holding a book could refer to many allegorical and religious figures. She may be the personification of an ideal concept such as Wisdom or Rhetoric; however, the drawing does not provide enough information to confirm a precise interpretation.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Allegorical Figure with the accession number of 69.183. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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