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

This is a drawing of a medieval allegorical scene. The image shows a group of figures within a walled enclosure, looking upwards toward an emblem with a seated figure holding symbols of authority. Below the platform, there are skeletal figures and others with disturbing features. The composition includes detailed architecture and flowing garments, with expressive postures and gestures. The entire scene is etched with fine lines, creating an intricate visual narrative.

Drawing2006.11.28

Allegory of the Life of a Scholar in a Rich Household [fol. 3 verso / 4 recto]

French 16th Century

c. 1512/1515 · pen and brown ink on laid paper

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This is an image of an elaborate allegorical scene. It is a highly detailed engraving depicting a complex narrative through its figures and symbols. At the center of the image, a large reclining figure is intertwined with a donkey-like creature, surrounded by various other symbolic figures and objects. Above them, a cherubic figure stands on clouds holding scales in each hand. To the sides, ornately dressed figures accompany the central scene, some holding masks or theatrical attributes. In the upper part, cherubic figures ride on creatures resembling mythical beings. The scene is framed with cloud formations and rich textures. The lower part includes a book with an inscription in Latin. This engraving reflects a Baroque style in its dramatic intensity, intricate details, and allegorical themes.

Print2012.92.651

Allegory of the Marriage of Emperor Ferdinand II and Eleanor Gonzaga

Aegidius Sadeler II

Date not recorded · engraving on laid paper

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The image shows a complex composition of overlapping lines and shapes forming an abstract design. Two crowned figures are balancing on a large wheel, with one holding a scale. There are abstract elements resembling a medieval ship with a hull and oars, and architectural shapes like castles or fortresses on either side. Sun-like rays emanate from the top right. The scene conveys an allegorical depiction involving hierarchy and guidance, with human figures, symbols, and text.

Print1943.3.9128

Allegory of the Meeting of Pope Paul II and Emperor Frederick III

German 15th Century

c. 1470 · woodcut, hand-colored in green, red lake, yellow, tan, and orange on laid paper

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The image shows a landscape with a simple house in the distance, trees partially obscuring it. The etching technique is evident with detailed lines creating texture. Three figures are present: a man with a walking stick, a seated woman holding a child, and an ethereal figure in the clouds. The man appears to look towards the ethereal figure. The color palette is monochromatic, with various shades of brown and beige. The etched lines vary in thickness and direction, adding depth to the composition.

Print1954.15.52

Allegory of the Peasant and Fortune (Le paysan et la fortune: Sujet allegorique

Alphonse Legros

Date not recorded · etching

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This is a drawing of a pastoral scene with mythological figures integrated into a rural landscape. The image depicts a countryside path leading up to a pair of thatched cottages on a hillside, surrounded by trees and shrubbery. In the foreground, there are figures interacting with one another on the path. Above them in the sky, ethereal figures, including a female figure and a cherub, appear to be floating or emerging from the clouds, with the female figure extending a garland. The style of the illustration suggests fine and detailed line work focusing on both natural and mythical elements.

Print1954.15.53

Allegory of the Peasant and Fortune (Le paysan et la fortune: Sujet allegorique

Alphonse Legros

Date not recorded · etching and drypoint

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This is a drawing of a scene depicting celestial figures interacting with people in a pastoral landscape. The upper left corner shows two floating celestial figures, one resembling a cherub, offering a wreath to figures on the ground. In the foreground, a group of people are engaged in activities within a rural setting surrounded by trees and rustic structures. In the background, two thatched-roof buildings are visible amidst foliage. The linework in the drawing is detailed, conveying movement through the gestures of the figures.

Print1943.3.5430

Allegory of the Peasant and Fortune (Le paysan et la fortune: Sujet allegorique)

Alphonse Legros

Date not recorded · etching and drypoint

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The image shows a round sculpture resembling a medal or medallion with intricate relief carvings. It features four human figures in classical attire, standing closely together and interacting. One figure holds a cross-like object, while another holds a scroll or rod. The relief is surrounded by an engraved border with inscriptions in Latin reading “VIRTUTUM IN RELIGIONE TRIUMPHUS” and the year "A.D. MDCCCXXII" (1822). The material appears to be bronze, with a dark, burnished appearance and lighter highlights on prominent features. The medallion is against a plain black background, highlighting its craftsmanship and relief work detail.

Sculpture1997.114.4.b

Allegory of the Triumph of Religion [reverse]

Giuseppe Cerbara

1822/1823 · bronze

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Print2000.55.1

Allegory of Transience ("Homo Bulla")

Hendrik Goltzius

1594 · engraving on laid paper

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The image shows a bronze relief medal depicting various figures engaged in actions. The sculpture features human figures in different activities, a reclining bull at the top under a star, and figures working with beams. The sculpture is made of bronze, giving it a warm, metallic brown color with tarnished areas. It is shield-shaped with a hole near the top. The figures are intricately designed in low relief, conveying a sense of movement and action.

Sculpture1957.14.482

Allegory of Union (?)

Master IO.F.F.

second half 15th century · bronze//Medium brown patina

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The image shows a cherub-like figure sitting down. The figure has a reclined posture on the ground with legs extended and one arm on its knee while the other arm is bent. The figure has a cherub face with chubby cheeks and short hair. It is naked. An hourglass is near its left side. There are bushes and trees around the figure. In the background, there is a classical architectural element, possibly a column. The artwork is detailed with illustrative lines.

Print1996.113.11

Allegory of Vanity

Cornelis Schut I

Date not recorded · etching on laid paper

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The image depicts a nude person admiring their reflection in a large mirror. Their body is twisted as they reach up to touch their head, which is covered with a cloth. They have classical facial features with prominent eyebrows and a defined jawline. In the background, there is a skeletal figure holding an hourglass and a wheel, symbolizing the passage of time. Beside the person are a pair of wings, and in the corner, a column with a garland. The background shows an intricately detailed interior wall with a Latin phrase at the bottom and the artist's monogram in the lower right corner.

Print1961.17.6

Allegory of Vanity (Death Surprising a Woman)

Italian 16th Century

16th century · engraving

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This circular coin or medallion shows three people standing closely together, each dressed differently. The first person on the left is nude and is positioned in a contrapposto stance. The central person is draped in a flowing garment and holds an upright staff or spear. The person on the right is clothed in detailed attire, perhaps armor. This object is made from a metallic material, exhibiting a bronze color with patches of greenish patina, obscuring some details of the scene. The people are set on a raised platform, and the circular frame around them features intricate designs or patterns. Between the people and to their left and right appear to be large flowers or plants.

Sculpture1942.9.174

Allegory of Victory

Antico

Date not recorded · bronze

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The sculpture is a rectangular plaque featuring four human figures in relief. The figures are part of a procession, moving from left to right. The first three figures are male, with the leftmost two wearing short skirts and having bare chests, while the third plays a musical horn. The figure on the far right is female, dressed in flowing garments and holding a long, curved object. The sculpture is made from a metal material, giving it a brownish color with some areas appearing lighter. The surface of the plaque is flat, allowing the figures to emerge slightly from the background, providing an intricate level of detail visible in the folds of the clothing and the subtle expressions on the faces.

Sculpture1957.14.270

Allegory of Victory

Master of Coriolanus

Date not recorded · bronze//Dark brown patina

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The sculpture is a round bas-relief medallion featuring two figures in classical attire. Both figures are seated, with one resting her hand on the side of a dog. The second figure holds a vessel or goblet. There is a detailed depiction of a bird, possibly a swan, stretching its neck upwards. The piece is rendered in bronze, showcasing its craftsmanship. Latin inscriptions are visible along the sides of the medallion.

Sculpture2001.131.8.b

Allegory of Vigilance and Loyalty [reverse]

Massimiliano Soldani Benzi

1680 · bronze

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This is a drawing of a mythological scene with multiple figures. The central female figure is being supported by others, while an angelic figure flies above holding or interacting with her. There are two male figures, one blindfolded and helping the central figure, and another draped in cloth gesturing theatrically. A female figure lies at the bottom, possibly reaching out. The scene is set amidst rocky elements, suggesting a dynamic background. The drawing is in a detailed Renaissance style with careful shading and line work.

Print1975.1.1

Allegory of Virtue

Andrea Andreani after Jacopo Ligozzi

1585 · chiaroscuro woodcut

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Set on a strip of land under a cloud-filled sky and in front of a stormy sea, a nude, light-skinned satyr reclines to our right as a nude, pale-skinned, blond child crouches over some objects on the dirt ground to our left in this vertical landscape painting. The satyr has with a man’s body and shaggy, goat’s legs. He leans over and peers into a golden urn, which has a round bottom and tall, flaring sides about the height of his torso. One hand holds the single handle and the other wraps around the body of the urn. The tips of the satyr’s ears are elongated and pointed, and the corner of his mouth curves up into an exaggerated smile in his brown beard. Red liquid pours from an object, perhaps an overturned urn, near the satyr’s outstretched leg and white liquid pours from another urn between us and the satyr. Next to the satyr, at the center of the painting, a thick, upright tree trunk is broken off abruptly but one shoot grows tall with emerald-green leaves. A translucent, shield-shaped object decorated with an open-mouthed, human face hangs from a pink ribbon around the broken trunk near the branch. A second shield outlined in red with a rearing, white lion against a royal-blue field leans against the foot of the tree to our left. Nearby, the pale, naked child holds a pair of sticks, possibly a compass, and reaches for other objects on the ground near the shield, including a white disk, a pair of small, red-covered books, a square and possibly a plumb line, a flute, pan pipes, and a scroll of paper. The ground and landscape around each person are distinctly different. To our left, the dirt ground under the child is littered with small rocks. Beyond a row of larger boulders, a sweeping field of lemon-lime green sweeps up into a bank of clouds. A small nude person with dark forms, perhaps representing wings, on their shoulders, arms hips, and ankles ascends a path up toward the clouds. To our right, the satyr reclines on green grass in front of a screen of three lush trees. Beyond, across the entire landscape, a choppy sea extends into the far distance beneath the steel-gray clouds above. A masted ship is swallowed by waves behind the satyr, to our right.

Painting1939.1.156

Allegory of Virtue and Vice

Lorenzo Lotto

1505 · oil on panel

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This is a drawing of an allegorical battle scene. The image portrays a battlefield filled with soldiers, musicians, and other characters engaged in various activities. A figure symbolizing victory flies through the sky on clouds in the upper center. In the background, military camps and formations of troops stretch across a hilly landscape. Banners, drums, and chariots add to the dynamic composition, while detailed line work emphasizes action and movement. Latin names label the figures in the scene.

Print2012.92.550

Allegory of War

Hendrik Goltzius

1578 · engraving on laid paper

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This is a drawing of an allegorical scene depicting a landscape with various activities and objects. The image is divided into two panels. On the left panel, there are figures gathered near a table with plates, a cup, and a kettle, surrounded by foliage and a detailed tree. The right panel features figures engaging in tasks, with animals present. In the background are structures resembling buildings and castles on a hilly landscape. The scene conveys a sense of busy activity, possibly symbolic or narrative, reflecting themes found in medieval imagery. The woodcut style suggests an era of medieval allegory with detailed linearity and symbolism in daily life settings.

Print1943.3.9127

Allegory of War and Peace

German 15th Century

1499 · woodcut

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The image shows a round medallion sculpture with intricate carvings depicting various figures. In the upper half, there are three seated and standing figures. On the left side, a figure is seated on a chair holding a lyre. In the center, a figure clad in armor with a helmet is depicted holding a spear, with an owl at their feet. Another figure is seated on the right, holding a staff and an orb. In the lower half, there are additional figures, including a person reclining next to a deer, and a figure next to a lion-like head. The sculpture is made of a bronze or gold-colored metal, giving it a polished appearance. The circular composition is framed by a beaded edge.

Sculpture1957.14.992.b

Allegory of War and Peace [reverse]

Giovanni da Cavino

mid 16th century · bronze//Struck

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This is a drawing of a figure holding a ship on their shoulders in a detailed landscape. The central figure is standing on rocky terrain with a sailing ship on their shoulder. Behind them, there is a turbulent sky with dark clouds. In the background, there are several draped figures on a rocky outcrop. The foreground has calm water with aquatic creatures, and there is intricate detailing of flora and mythical elements. The drawing style uses strong lines and shading to create depth and movement.

Print2005.19.5

Allegory of Water

Jeremias Wachsmuth

Date not recorded · etching with engraving on pink prepared laid paper

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This is a drawing of mythological or fantastical figures and scenes. The imagery presents a group of figures and fantastical beings pouring out liquids from jars. These figures are perched upon clouds or elevated platforms amidst a dynamic landscape. The lines are intricately detailed, showcasing patterns etched to give texture to fabrics and natural elements like clouds. The drawing depicts symbols of the zodiac, highlighted by icons such as an aquatic figure likely representing Aquarius. The composition is energetic, with swirling motions and expressive postures emphasized by flowing garments and interactions among the figures.

Print2015.96.2

Allegory of Winter with Diana the Huntress

Johann Georg Bergmüller

c. 1750 · etching on laid paper

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The sculpture depicts a scene with a central figure clad in flowing robes, possibly holding a weapon or tool in one outstretched hand while facing a menacing creature or possibly severing its head. The figure appears to be in a dynamic stance. Surrounding this character are elements of a rugged natural landscape, including various trees, hills, and a castle in the background. Additionally, there is a container or vessel and possibly a water feature like a stream or waterfall to the left side of the composition. On the right, there is a pile of spherical objects. The sculpture is crafted from bronze, lending it a rich brown color with greenish patina in some areas.

Sculpture1996.41.3

Allegory of Wrath

Peter Flötner

c. 1535 · bronze

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This is a print showing a man and a woman intertwined on the left edge of a long table. The people are partially clothed and pressed tightly against each other, the man holding the woman's bottom, and the woman's legs raised up under the man's arms. The woman has long, flowing hair and what looks like a tiara on her head, and the man's curling hair is tied with a strip of fabric around his head. A curling banner emerges from the edge of the table next to them and curves up the left side of the print. On the right, a creature is stepping up onto the table, using a stool. The creature appears to have the legs and tail of a lion and the body and wings of a bird, but its head and upper torso resemble a large penis. A bell appears to hang from the creature. The material that the print is on is a mottled copper color, with areas of yellow, orange, and dark blue discoloration.

Technical Material1948.11.11.b

Allegory on Copulation [verso]

Italian 15th Century

fourth quarter 15th century · engraved copper plate

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This is a detailed drawing with macabre and allegorical motifs. It features skeletal and classical elements. The central design includes two putti on an arch with a skull emblem and a skeletal figure below. Flanking the arch are obelisks with Latin inscriptions. Below, there is a segmented wheel with scenes or symbols, encircled by Latin phrases. Near the bottom, an altar-like structure with Latin inscriptions, skulls, and bones suggests the theme of mortality. The artwork seems to be influenced by Renaissance memento mori imagery.

Print1943.3.854

Allegory on Death

Andrea Andreani after Giovanni Fortuna

Date not recorded · chiaroscuro woodcut

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