Allegory n.d.

This drawing titled "Allegory" was made with pen and brown ink by an anonymous artist. "Allegory" is a classical subject, but what does it mean? Allegorical images invite us to look beyond the literal. In Renaissance Europe, a fascination with the art of classical antiquity encouraged artists to create mythological or allegorical scenes. These images served as a vehicle for philosophical ideas. The female figure might represent virtue or vice, beauty or truth. To understand the meaning of this image, we would need to consider who commissioned it, and what they hoped to communicate through it. Clues might be found in emblem books that were popular at the time, or in the writings of classical authors. The resources of a good art library can help to unlock the secrets of allegorical art.