National Gallery of Art · Open Data

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63,855 open-access works

63,855 NGA-open-access works
Dataset refreshed September 19, 2026

The image shows a sculpture with a bas-relief depicting multiple figures in a narrative scene. The leftmost figure is a winged male with a shield. Next to him is a bearded figure with wings, appearing dynamic. Following is a male figure holding a bowl, and then a seated, veiled figure. The sculpture is made of a dark material, possibly bronze, with a patina of browns and greens. The figures are intricately carved with detailed drapery and dynamic poses. The relief is a rectangular plaque with drill holes at the corners.

Sculpture1995.75.4

Allegory of Fate

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

c. 1530 · bronze

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This is a detailed drawing of a complex narrative scene featuring a variety of animals, figures, and mythical creatures within a forest landscape. Trees frame the scene and a procession of horses is depicted in the center, led by elaborately dressed figures. Other figures and animals are scattered throughout the composition, with a person playing a musical instrument on the left side. The drawing combines elements of reality and fantasy, creating a richly patterned and dynamic atmosphere suggesting a significant story with symbolic undertones.

Print2012.92.599

Allegory of Flourishing State of the United Provinces

Jan Pietersz Saenredam

1602 · engraving on laid paper

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The image shows a woman sitting with her body slightly turned to the side and her head facing downward. She has long, wavy hair, a helmet on her head, and is wearing a draped garment. Her right arm rests on a plinth with a cylindrical object, and her left hand holds a leafy branch. Next to her lies a lion. The background is a solid color.

Drawing1985.1.49

Allegory of Fortitude

Francesco Rosaspina

Date not recorded · pen and brown ink with gray and brown wash, heightend with white gouache, over black chalk

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The image features a mix of shapes and lines, such as vertical columns, circular domes, and detailed figures. The composition includes statuesque figures and architectural elements resembling a classical cityscape. There is a central spiraled column and a dome structure similar to ancient Roman architecture. A figure on horseback is in front, while a reclining figure beside a lion-like creature is present. There are towering columns and elaborate facades reminiscent of ancient temples or monuments. The overall composition blends the structural and symbolic elements, creating an abstract interpretation of a mythological or historical scene.

Print1943.3.9093

Allegory of Fortitude (?)

Master of 1515

c. 1515/1520 · engraving

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This is a drawing featuring a winged figure holding a cherub next to a horse and a person in armor. The artwork portrays a detailed scene with mythological and allegorical elements. The winged figure embraces the cherub, who reaches towards them, as they stand beside a horse. The person in armor interacts with the horse. The background shows a stacked block wall. The intricate details, such as feathers, clothing folds, and horse anatomy, are depicted with fine lines and shading. The text at the bottom reads: "Io son fortuna buona, ho mecco Amore, Se mi conosci, ti farò signore." The artwork's composition and style suggest influences from the Renaissance period.

Print1977.80.1

Allegory of Fortune

Italian 16th Century

Date not recorded · engraving

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The sculpture is a relief on a round medallion depicting a figure riding a lion. The figure is holding a large curved horn in one hand and the lion's tail in the other. The lion is robust with a prominent mane. The sculpture is made of copper, giving it a reddish-brown color with a metallic sheen. Engraved text surrounds the outer edge of the medallion. There is a small hole near the top for hanging or attaching.

Sculpture2008.114.1

Allegory of Fortune

Circle of Gianfrancesco Enzola

c. 1475 · bronze

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The image displays a round bronze sculpture with a relief depicting a scene involving three human figures. Two of the figures are standing, and one is sitting, with all three seemingly interacting with each other. This circular relief is placed at the center of a disc and is surrounded by an ornate border featuring floral and scroll patterns. The bronze sculpture has a warm, aged patina, giving it a combination of brown and greenish tints. The scene within the central relief appears to capture the figures in mid-gesture, providing a sense of movement and interaction between them. The intricate details of the figures' clothing and the ornate border emphasize the skill and craftsmanship involved in creating this piece.

Sculpture1957.14.417

Allegory of Fortune: Man Holding Fortune by her Forelock

North Italian 16th Century

c. 1500 · bronze//Medium brown patina

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The painting shows a landscape including distant hills under a pale blue sky with clouds. Below the hills is a body of water with some small red rowboats on it. Closer to us, to the right of center, is an American flag on a flagpole. A child in a black suit and a woman in a red dress stand facing the flagpole, and a man stands in front of them, facing us. He is in a blue uniform with long buttons down the front and a red belt. The man is holding broken pieces of a chain in either hand and appears to be standing in a light gray puddle. All three of these people have blue-gray skin and black hair, and there is a small black-and-white dog by them near the bottom right corner. To the left of center, a man riding a horse holds up another American flag. This man is wearing a similar blue uniform and has slightly paler gray skin. He also holds another flag in his other hand, which he allows to drag on the ground, and this flag is red with a wide white stripe in the center and a blue and gold section in the top left. Behind him is another rider on horseback who is mostly in shadow, and behind that a man stands by a tree near two horses that appear to be hitched to a wagon. In the background on the left, there is a tall white monument, and on the right is an arched structure made of light brown stone with a large gray bird sitting on top of it and more horses standing below it.

Painting1955.11.4

Allegory of Freedom

American 19th Century

1863 or after · oil on canvas

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The image features three primary figures in a detailed engraving. The central figure is seated and partially draped with wings, holding a compass to a tablet or book. To the left, another figure is partially draped with wings showing, and to the right, a third figure is fully draped in robes. Two smaller winged cherubs are also present. The background includes architectural elements, trees, and foliage, all depicted in an engraved style, with decorative elements and inscriptions at the bottom.

Print2003.8.2

Allegory of Intellect, Memory, and Will

Claude Mellan after Simon Vouet

1625 · engraving on laid paper

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This is a drawing of three figures in classical attire. The image shows three figures dressed in flowing garments. The central figure wears a helmet with a plume and holds a staff or another long object. The figures are drawn with strong outlines and shaded with a monochromatic wash, giving them volume and depth. Delicate lines are used to detail the features and clothing, emphasizing the graceful postures and implied interaction between the figures.

Drawing2009.70.127.a

Allegory of Justice

Felice Giani

Date not recorded · pen and brown ink with violet-brown wash over black chalk on wove paper

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This is a drawing featuring a formal scene within a grand architectural setting. The composition includes numerous figures dressed in period clothing, set amidst columns and steps. In the background, flags can be seen. Soft shading and cross-hatching techniques are used for depth and contrast. Construction work is depicted in the distance on the right side. The drawing showcases detailed costumes, architecture, and group dynamics.

Print2012.92.611

Allegory of Justice

Willem Swanenburgh, after Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael

1606 · engraving on laid paper

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The sculpture is a relief carving on a circular medal or medallion. A male figure draped in classical attire stands at the center, holding a vessel in his left hand and a dish in his right hand. He stands on a mound covered with grapes or a textured surface. Surrounding him are four birds in various poses, with wings spread or folded. An inscription along the edge reads "PIDEAT AMICI DIEM PERDIDISE," with "LIBERALITAS" below the central scene. The sculpture is made of metallic silver with a slightly tarnished surface. It is slightly raised against the background.

Sculpture1957.14.1293.b

Allegory of Liberality [reverse]

Matthes Gebel

Date not recorded · base silver

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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.

Print1943.3.9075

Allegory of Life

Giorgio Ghisi

1561 · engraving on laid paper

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Shown from the hips up, a nude woman stands between a table in front of her and a clothed man behind her, against a deep landscape in this vertical painting. The man rests one hand on her shoulder and holds up a mirror with the other. The woman’s pale skin has a pronounced golden glow. Her body faces us and she looks to our left, holding her waist-length, curly, strawberry-blond hair with her right hand by her face. Her hair on the other side is tied back with a sage-green band behind her ear. She wears a sheer white sash wrapped around her back and upper arms. A muted rose-pink, velvet sash loops over her left forearm, to our left. That hand rests on a round, squat glass bottle that sits on a leaf-green table, with her index finger covering the opening of the bottle. She wears a gold ring with a small dark stone on her left ring finger, and another gold ring rests on the table. The back corner of the table covers her genitals in the lower right corner of the painting. Behind her and to our left, a man with an olive-toned complexion and short curly brown hair, moustache, and long beard looks down his long nose at the woman as he rests his left hand, to our right, on her shoulder. He has dark eyebrows, flushed cheeks, and his pink lips are closed. He wears a cranberry-red coat embroidered along the edges with gold. White ruffles encircle his neck and the cuff we can see. Almost lost in shadow, the hilt of his sword peeks around his hip. With his right hand, to our left, he holds up a dark rectangular object in a wood-colored frame. The reflections of his fingertips in the glass indicate that this is a mirror, but the surface is otherwise black. A dense, forest-green tree grows in the landscape behind the woman. The view over the man’s shoulder, to our left, has sea-green hills beneath a watery blue sky with cream-white clouds.

Painting1939.1.259

Allegory of Love

Workshop of Titian

c. 1520/1540 · oil on canvas

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This is a detailed drawing of a classical scene with mythological themes. The image shows various figures engaged in different activities with architectural elements and mythical creatures included. The central figure is surrounded by other characters in dynamic poses, set within a classical architectural backdrop. Horses and chariots fill the sky while the lower part of the image contains intricate symbols and text. The drawing is rich in symbolism and detail, reminiscent of Renaissance or Baroque allegorical artworks.

Print2016.47.1

Allegory of Love

School of Marcantonio Raimondi, after Baccio Bandinelli(?)

c. 1540 · engraving on laid paper

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The sculpture on the medal features three figures in classical attire. On the left is a standing figure, in the center a male figure holding a spear, and to the right a seated figure on a pedestal. The medal is round and bronze-colored, with inscriptions around the perimeter. The inscription reads “GESEGNET SEY DURCH IHN EIN GANZES VOLK! VERMAEHLT IN BERLIN DEN 24 DECEMB. 1793.”

Sculpture1997.114.20.b

Allegory of Marriage [reverse]

Daniel Friedrich Loos and Friedrich Wilhelm Loos

1793 · silver

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The image depicts a scene with mythological figures. A central nude female figure holds a staff or spear, partially draped in a flowing garment. Other figures in flowing robes surround her, some sitting and others in conversation. Above them on clouds sit two regal figures holding symbols of power, with a cherub-like figure on a chariot drawn by swans. Subtle architectural elements in the background contribute to a classical atmosphere. The drawing features detailed line work emphasizing movement and expressions.

Drawing1972.3.1

Allegory of Minerva as the Head of the Muses

Hans Speckaert

in or before 1575 · pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper

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The image shows a seated woman with several cherubic infants. The woman is in the center, holding a stick with a basket of fruits and a garland over her shoulder. She sits on rocky terrain, with long wavy hair and a headband. The infants are depicted nude, with curly hair, surrounding the woman and engaging in various activities. The background includes a barren landscape with trees, hills, a house with a watermill, and a cloudy sky.

Print1943.3.7360

Allegory of Mother Earth

Cristofano Robetta

Date not recorded · engraving

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Painting1946.7.2

Allegory of Music

François Boucher

1764 · oil on canvas

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The sculpture shows a male figure depicted in a three-dimensional relief style on a rectangular plaque. The figure is a nude man standing in a contrapposto pose with his right arm raised, holding a branch. He has curly hair. Surrounding him are various objects including a lyre, musical notes, a shield, and an anvil with flames. The sculpture is made of a dark, bronze-like metal that highlights the details. The composition appears to convey a story or legend with its detailed workmanship and classical motifs.

Sculpture1957.14.449

Allegory of Music

Probably Venetian 16th Century

c. 1500 · bronze//Medium brown patina

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This is a drawing of a seated figure surrounded by cherubs. The scene is composed within an oval border, featuring an adult figure sitting amongst a group of playful cherubs. The figure is draped in flowing clothing, while the cherubs are depicted in various playful poses around the central figure, amidst stylized clouds. The drawing is executed with loose, expressive strokes and shading, with a monochromatic palette of soft browns and reddish tints that suggest the use of sepia ink or similar medium. The scene conveys a sense of movement and celestial harmony.

Drawing1979.15.1

Allegory of Music

François Boucher

1764 · pen and brown ink with red wash on laid paper

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The sculpture on the coin features a relief of a human figure in a reclining or fallen pose, with one arm reaching upwards. The background of the relief includes an architectural structure with columns on the right and foliage or possibly a tree on the left. The material of the sculpture appears to be metal, with the color being a weathered bronze or copper, exhibiting an aged patina. The sculpture, being part of a coin, is of a small, circular shape and is designed to be viewed up close, revealing intricate details despite its size. The border of the coin is beaded, and there is an engraving around the edge.

Sculpture1999.109.17.b

Allegory of Music [reverse]

Milanese 16th Century

c. 1550 · bronze

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The image shows two cherubic figures close together. The cherub on the left is reclined, with its head resting on the shoulder of the other cherub. The cherub on the right faces the left cherub. Both have curly hair and are depicted nude. The left cherub holds a scroll and wears a laurel wreath, while the right one holds a lyre. They are surrounded by drapery. The background features swirling clouds. Below the main image is a heraldic emblem with a lion, crown, and banner with integrated text.

Print2011.152.2

Allegory of Music with Two Cherubs and Doves (100)

Gilles Demarteau the Elder after François Boucher

Date not recorded · chalk manner printed in black on laid paper

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Shown from the chest up, a young woman with pale, smooth skin and dressed in a light blue gown holds a paint brush and palette in this vertical pastel drawing. The woman’s body is angled to our right. She turns her head back to our left but then looks back off to our right from the corners of her eyes under faint brows. Her wide-set eyes are gray, her nose long and straight, and her delicate pink lips are closed in a slight smile. Her curly, ash-blond hair sweeps back from her forehead to gather in a braid across the crown of her head. Soft, loose tendrils frame her round face, which has touches of ice-blue shadows at the corners of her mouth and eyes. Sky-blue and white flowers with mint-green leaves adorn her hair to our left, and two touches of royal blue near her ear on our right suggests a ribbon. Gleaming white pearl earrings hang from her ears. Her dress is created with filmy layers of arctic blue, taupe, white, and pale pink. The gown has a deep, V-shaped neckline, and a long sleeve is turned back from the wrist we can see. In that hand, she holds the wooden paintbrush at about chest height, and it extends off the right edge of the sheet. In the lower right corner of the composition, the thumb of her other hand hooks through a hole in the palette, which has daubs of pink and white. The corner of a blank easel is visible over her shoulder to our right. The background is mouse gray tinged with the blue of the paper on which it is drawn.

Drawing1939.1.136

Allegory of Painting

Rosalba Carriera

1730s · pastel and red chalk on blue laid paper mounted on canvas (on strainer)

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