The image shows a seated woman holding two snakes by their heads. She has a calm expression and soft facial features, with her hair tucked under a draped cloth covering her head. She wears a long gown with intricate detailing, and the background features nature elements, rocks, and a cityscape with grand architectural structures. People are seen in the distance on a balcony. The circular composition unites the natural foreground and built environment in the background.
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The image shows a seated woman holding two snakes by their heads. She has a calm expression and soft facial features, with her hair tucked under a draped cloth covering her head. She wears a long gown with intricate detailing, and the background features nature elements, rocks, and a cityscape with grand architectural structures. People are seen in the distance on a balcony. The circular composition unites the natural foreground and built environment in the background.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Allegory of Prudence

Hendrik Goltzius

Date
c. 1586
Medium
engraving
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.4637
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Dutch
  • bird
  • animal
  • Woman
  • Costume
  • Snake
  • Building

NGA object ID 7376. 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.