Allegory of Love Triumphant

Currently not on view

Allegory of Love Triumphant

1785-1790

Felice Giani (Italian, 1758–1823)

This drawing's high degree of finish suggests that it is one of Giani's "academy pieces," from a practice of the time in which a group of artists would test their skills as draughtsmen by setting a theme that each would draw and then offer mutual critiques of the results. Here the triumphant winged figure of Cupid, supported by two women, tramples symbols of literature, science, and art, signifying the omnipotence of love.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Allegory of Love Triumphant

Date:

1785-1790

Artist:

Felice Giani (Italian, 1758–1823)

Medium:

Pen and brown ink and brown wash over graphite and traces of red chalk, heightened with white opaque watercolor, on laid paper toned with brown wash

Dimensions:

Sheet: 15 1/16 x 11 11/16 inches (38.3 x 29.7 cm)

Classification:

Drawings

Credit Line:

Bequest of Anthony Morris Clark, 1978

Accession Number:

1978-70-298

Geography:

Made in Italy, Europe

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Currently not on view