Allegory of Riches 1675 - 1683

Gerard de Lairesse crafted this intriguing, undated allegory of riches, now held at the Rijksmuseum, employing the visual language of wealth through symbolic figures and objects. We see a woman, likely an allegorical figure, holding grapes and a key. The grapes represent abundance and fertility, a common symbol of wealth in classical art, while the key suggests control over resources or secrets. The putti that surround her reinforce the theme of prosperity and carefree abundance. Notice the cornucopia, overflowing with riches, a motif that stretches back to antiquity, symbolizing inexhaustible bounty. Consider the symbolic weight carried by the snake being hunted in the relief above. In many cultures, snakes are symbols of primal energy, transformation, or even danger. Here, the hunter may represent the necessary vigilance required to protect wealth from those who would exploit it. Like the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, these symbols and representations are in cyclical progression, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of significance in different cultural contexts.