Allegory of Lust n.d.

Daniel Mytens the Elder sketched this allegory of lust in red chalk sometime in the early 17th century. At the time, artists were increasingly fascinated by the darker aspects of human nature and the way that moral failings could be made visible through symbolism. This work typifies the visual codes of Northern European art during the Baroque period. By the 1600s, the Netherlands was a hub of artistic innovation, yet it remained beholden to the influence of the church. Here, we see that legacy in the visual representation of sin. The grotesque, fleshy figure is a classic rendering of vice. The small figure riding it is an allegorical Cupid whose presence suggests the inescapable connection between lust and love. Art historians seek to interpret such imagery with reference to its historical moment. We can consult religious texts, popular literature, and even political pamphlets to understand the perceived role of art at that time. It is through this social and institutional context that we can begin to appreciate the artwork's critical engagement with the norms of its own time.