
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of a group of figures gathered around a mountain with a temple built into it. The image depicts multiple figures clustered in groups, some in motion or engaged in activity. In the background, a large mountain rises with a temple-like structure at its base. At the mountain's peak, a figure is depicted in a seated position, gesturing or addressing the assembly below. The drawing utilizes a monochromatic palette of browns and blacks, creating a somber and dramatic effect. The lines are loose and sketchy, conveying movement and energy. The figures appear to be interacting with each other, some bending or kneeling, while others are standing.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
An Allegory of Truth and Falsehood (verso)
Fortunato Duranti
- Date
- 1835/1845
- Medium
- pen and brown ink with brown wash (verso)
- Dimensions
- sheet: 19.8 x 26.2 cm (7 13/16 x 10 5/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2007.111.71.b
- Credit line
- Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
- Time span
- 1826 to 1850
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- Seated figure
- Temple
- Rock
- Figures
Provenance
Wolfgang Ratjen, Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.
Inscription
across bottom, brown ink: la bugia e causa di tutti mali; on tablet, brown ink: vert/ciorno; on verso, along bottom in brown ink: la bugia e la verita combattano insieme la bugia arde il Savio avole [?] il mantello e nega larsura via; on book in brown ink: ochi/A/anco
NGA object ID 159866. 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.