
Read the visual description
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
- 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.