Allegory of Peace, Art, and Abundance 1602

Hans von Aachen created this "Allegory of Peace, Art, and Abundance" with oil paint on canvas. He has handled the material with the smooth precision typical of late Mannerism. Look closely and you’ll notice that surface quality is prized here, almost more than the subject matter. The soft folds of fabric in the upper corner are rendered with care, as is the gleam of the metal objects scattered in the lower left. The figures themselves are perhaps the most interesting material of all. Von Aachen was celebrated for his nudes, which were widely collected by northern European elites. Here, the artist treats flesh almost like a precious, polished substance. The light seems to linger on their creamy surfaces, in a way that’s frankly erotic. There’s little evidence of visible brushwork. Instead, Von Aachen has produced a seamless surface, one that invites your gaze to linger. This is a painting about luxury, abundance, and sensuous experience – a celebration of wealth made for a wealthy patron.