
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of a scene with two central figures and various mythical creatures throughout. The central figure on the left is draped in flowing robes near a gnarled tree, amidst a landscape with exotic animals and mythical beasts like dragons and unicorns. To the right, a warrior-like figure stands under a palm tree holding a spear. The background contains a cityscape including buildings, bridges, and paths. Swirling clouds and water add to the atmosphere, with tiny cherub-like figures in the upper sections.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Allegory of Life
Giorgio Ghisi
- Date
- 1561
- Medium
- engraving on laid paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 38 x 54.1 cm (14 15/16 x 21 5/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1943.3.9075
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1551 to 1600
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- Woman
- engraving
- Tree
- Costume
- animal
- Man
Inscription
lower center in plate in tablet in boat: GIORGIVS GHISI MAT .F 1.5.6.1.; upper left verso in graphite: 4575; lower left verso in graphite: 4575
Marks
NGA collector's mark with L.R.
NGA object ID 11583. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.