Allegorisk kvindeskikkelse i gevandt med nøgle, tiara og en stav (?). Stående i en niche. Forneden to englebørn og et skjold (?) 1717 - 1776

Jacques François Joseph Saly created this red chalk drawing of an allegorical female figure in the mid-18th century. The figure stands in a niche, adorned with symbolic objects like a key, tiara, and staff, while cherubs surround a shield below. The image is steeped in the visual language of its time, a period when allegory was a common way to represent abstract concepts and virtues. Made in Denmark, it reflects the broader European artistic trends of the Enlightenment. Allegories such as this served to communicate moral or political ideas within the framework of courtly patronage, shaping public perception through carefully constructed symbols. Further research into the emblem books and iconographic traditions of 18th-century Europe could reveal the specific virtues Saly intended to evoke. Understanding this drawing requires looking beyond its aesthetic qualities and exploring the social institutions, cultural values, and representational strategies that gave it meaning for its original audience.