Allegory of Art

Joachim Lüchteke German

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 690

Carefully signed by the artist with the place and date of execution, this drawing was likely made as an entry in an album amicorum, or friendship album—a collection of drawn and written tributes to an individual patron or associate. The nude woman holding the brushes, palette, mahlstick, and coat of arms of the Guild of Saint Luke is an unmistakable personification of the art of painting. The meaning of the devil breathing fire on her leg is less obvious, but it may allude to the idea that art itself can be a dangerous temptation.

Allegory of Art, Joachim Lüchteke (German, active 1595), Pen and black ink, brush and coloured washes, heightened with white, over red chalk

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Allegory of Art, Joachim Lüchteke (German, active 1595), Pen and black ink, brush and coloured washes, heightened with white, over red chalk
Allegory of Art, Joachim Lüchteke (German, active 1595), Pen and black ink, brush and coloured washes, heightened with white, over red chalk

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.