Theology (Theologie)

Engraving, part of a series of twelve oval prints with allegorical representations of Minerva, Wisdom, the sciences and liberal arts. Most of them are represented by female figures (the exception being Physics, represented by Apollo), surrounded by pastoral landscapes, some of them with small towns with medieval buildings in the background. In the representations of liberal arts, Delaune depicts more detailed landscapes with fragments of classical architecture. This print presents an allegory of Theology, consisting of a standing woman in three quarter view, her head turned to the left, playing an organ on the right. The organ in this print might be a symbol of the sacred hymns that it can play. At her feet is a lantern, possibly with the objective of dissipating darkness, and books, likely representing the Bible.