
Read the visual description
This is a painting of three figures dressed in historical costumes with text labels above each one. The central figure is labeled "l'homme de court" and is depicted holding a blue and orange book. Flanking this figure on both sides are two other figures with text labels above them: the left figure is labeled "Congnoissance" and is shown as a drummer wearing a robe with blue and red designs, while the right figure is labeled "Simulacion" and is depicted in a long dark cloak with a hood, accompanied by anthropomorphic animal figures. The painting is done in a style reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts or medieval artwork, possibly from the era of Flemish or Burgundian art. It uses soft but vivid colors and fine linework to convey themes of identity or personification.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Courtier Standing Between Covetousness and Dissimulation [fol. 14 recto]
French early 16th Century
- Date
- 1512/1514
- Medium
- pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 16.3 x 10.7 cm (6 7/16 x 4 3/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2006.11.31
- Credit line
- Woodner Collection, Gift of Andrea Woodner
- Time span
- 1501 to 1550
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Speculum principis (Mirror for Princes)
Subjects and terms
- French
- Costume
- Musical instrument
- Philosophy
- animal
- Figures
- Writing
Provenance
(Sale, London, Sotheby's, 13 July 1937, lot 64); (sale, London, Sotheby's, 15-17 November 1937, lot 546); (sale, London, Maggs Bros., Ltd., catalogue 709, 1941, no. 30); (purchased by William H. Schab Gallery via Paul Graupe); purchased by Ian Woodner, New York, by 1973; by inheritance to his daughters, Andrea and Dian Woodner, New York, 1990.
Inscription
across top in pen and brown ink above the figure at left: Convoitise:; above the man at center: lhomme de/court.; and above the woman at right: Simulacion:
NGA object ID 86034. 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.