Allegorical figure

1672–75
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 549
The relief belonged to the funerary monument to Anne Marie Martinozzi, princesse de Conti (d. 1672), in the Church of Saint-André-des-Arts, Paris. An engraving of the monument shows that the figure embodied three religious virtues: Charity (flaming heart), Hope (anchor), and Faith (block under the figure's right foot). In 1793, the monument was dismantled and removed to the Musée des Monuments Français. In 1809 the relief was placed in the park of the Empress Josephine's estate, Malmaison. At that time, the attributes were reworked. The anchor on the figure's left was transformed into a piece of drapery and the flaming heart in the left hand into a poppy, symbol of sleep.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Allegorical figure
  • Artist: François Girardon (French, Troyes 1628–1715 Paris)
  • Date: 1672–75
  • Culture: French, Paris
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 57 1/2 x 25 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (146.1 x 64.8 x 26.7 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1939
  • Object Number: 39.62
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.