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1 of 253523 objects
An Allegory of Painting 1600-99?
Oil on canvas | 150.6 x 109.7 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 402554
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This painting shows the Genius or Spirit of Fame crowning the Art of Painting with a laurel wreath. The Spirit of Fame is embodied by a winged putto, and the Art of Painting is personified by a young girl with a palette in her left hand. It is closely related to a second Allegory of Painting after Gessi, formerly in the Royal Collection.
A painting of this composition was recorded in the Reynst collection as by Guido Reni, and was engraved by Theodor Mathan. At first this picture was thought to be after Reni, but the design is now attributed to Gessi. A good quality version by Gessi is in the collections of the Cassa di Risparmio, Bologna.Provenance
There have been two versions of this composition in the collection, this one and a lost work of smaller format (ML 501a, 104 x 101cm); it is probably this work that is recorded in the King's Bedchamber at Whitehall in 1688 (no 167), in the Great Bedchamber at Kensington in 1710 (no 106), in the Presence Chamber at Kensington in 1732 and still there until removed to Windsor Castle in 1795. The lost painting is probably the one recorded in Carlton House in 1816 and 1819 and at Windsor in 1878 (WC no 1018).
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Creator(s)
Previously attributed to after (artist)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
150.6 x 109.7 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
172.1 x 131.4 x 7.3 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
The Genius of Painting, previously identified as
