Seven Liberal Arts 1590

Maarten de Vos created this oil painting, "Seven Liberal Arts," to represent the core subjects taught in European schools during the 16th century. In this image, de Vos uses classical imagery to create meaning through cultural and historical associations. The winged Mercury and the muses are references to the ancient world, signalling the importance of classical learning. The subjects exemplify what was considered essential knowledge for the educated elite in Europe at the time. The painting reflects the values of a society that was structured by a class system that privileged access to knowledge. The very existence of institutions such as universities and academies depended upon these social structures. The painting also reflects the institutional history of art itself. The use of allegory and symbolism was common in academic painting, which aimed to elevate art to the level of intellectual discourse. To understand this image better, one could look at how these subjects were taught in schools at the time and research the role that art played in shaping social values and cultural norms.