Allegory 1770

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin made this allegory using delicate applications of watercolor and gouache on paper. The translucent quality of watercolor allowed Saint-Aubin to build up layers of luminous color, while the use of gouache provides opacity and texture, particularly visible in the drapery and the figures' skin. The artwork's visual impact is influenced by the artist's choice of materials, where the fluid, ethereal nature of the watercolor contributes to the dreamlike quality. Saint-Aubin's technique involves skilled handwork, using fine brushes to create precise details and subtle gradations of tone, while the combination of watercolor and gouache demands a mastery of both mediums. Looking closely, the labor of the hand is evident in every stroke, reminding us of the artist's role in bringing allegorical concepts to life through meticulous craft. By highlighting the material qualities of the work, we recognize Saint-Aubin's skill and imagination, dissolving boundaries between fine art and craft.