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Coronation with Allegorical Figures

Coronation with Allegorical Figures

1600 - 1638

Traditionally attributed to Jacques Blanchard

French

The foreground is dominated by seated women and cavorting putti, presumably representing various arts and virtues. At the extreme left, a woman with bare breasts (possibly Charity) holds a child on her lap, while next to her another figure (possibly Fidelity) restrains a dog. A pair of putti, one holding a slate (possibly Poetry), are just to the left of center, while beyond them two others hold a lute (possibly Music). Closing the frieze at the right is a seated woman with a sheet of paper and compasses at ther side (possibly Architecture). In the background, a man beneath a baldacchino crowns a kneeling figure. Four figures attend them on the dais, while a man and two conversing women observe the scene from the right.

Graphite and brown wash on cream antique laid paper, laid down on decorated paper, framing lines in brown ink

Drawings