Allegori med figurer 1788

Peter Leonhard Gianelli created this allegorical drawing with pen and brown ink in Copenhagen, 1788. Gianelli's life and work were shaped by the cultural milieu of late 18th-century Europe, a period marked by Enlightenment ideals, revolution, and shifting social structures. In “Allegori med figurer,” Gianelli employs the visual language of allegory, a common practice in his era, to explore complex ideas. The scene is populated with classical figures who embody abstract concepts. Consider the seated nude figure holding a wreath, the status of women artists at this time was heavily influenced by societal expectations. This work encourages reflection on the values and norms of Gianelli's time, and how those norms have shaped the way we perceive and value art today. This piece invites us to consider the roles and representation of different identities within the broader scope of art history.