Allegory of the Arts

A pen and brown wash drawing shows a central winged figure in flowing robes striding forward among classical columns, while cherubs with wreaths hover in the clouds above. Fallen and writhing figures crowd the foreground, and a bust sits on a pedestal beside a standing woman holding a tall staff.

Look closer: A small standing figure appears in the distant right background beside a monument.

Artist

Joseph Marie Vien

Date

1796

Medium

Pen and black ink, brush and brown wash, over faint black chalk underdrawing

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

3869 × 2777 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Guy Wildenstein and Stephen A. Geiger Gifts, 2008