Jurisprudence, part of a set of allegories of the liberal arts and the sciences
Engraving, part of a series of six plates with allegories of three liberal arts and three sciences, personified by female figures surrounded by grotesque motifs. These allegories are endowed with attributes that somewhat correspond to the science or the art they evoke; the inner frame of the scene is flanked by scrolling motifs of different types. This print represents Jurisprudence, personified by a female figure, standing on profile, walking towards the left. She holds a sword on her left hand, possibly symbolizing the executive power, and a balance on her right hand, possibly symbolzing the equilibrium of judgement. At her feet are a book, likely evoking the idea of a code, a carpenter's square, attribute of distributive justice because of the idea of measure that it evokes, and an olive branch, attribute of justice and its close relationship with peace. Two other long olive branches from an arch around Jurispridence, held by two grotesque figures, one male and the other female, with lion heads and human bodies, ending on undilating motifs. Two additional lions, traditional attributes of justice, are on the bottom part of the print. The two grotesque dragons on the upper corners of the print might be a reminder of the notion of vigilance, which can be associated with justice.
Artwork Details
- Title: Jurisprudence, part of a set of allegories of the liberal arts and the sciences
- Artist: Etienne Delaune (French, Orléans 1518/19–1583 Strasbourg)
- Date: before 1573
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 2 3/4 in. × 2 in. (7 × 5.1 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1962
- Object Number: 62.635.62(3)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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